During RAF air operations in the 1991 Gulf War, the effectiveness of Iraqi anti-aircraft defenses resulted in Tornado and Jaguar attack missions having to be flown at higher altitudes, reducing their effectiveness.

They needed the support of the RAF's aging Blackburn Buccaneer jets with their 'Pave Spike' laser designator equipment to deliver 'smart' munitions effectively, the only problem being that these aircraft were back at their home base in Scotland.

The race was on to prepare and fly twelve Buccaneers in newly applied "Desert Camouflage" and their laser designator equipment to the Persian Gulf, and within days the self-titled "Sky Pirates" were on their way.