Friend,
Prior to hostilities breaking out between Iraq and US-led forces in 1991, USAF was most concerned about Pakistani and French trained Iraq pilots. Americans knew that these pilots will do something once airborne so USAF and USN subjected Iraqi airports and command & communications networe yks to a massive barrage of cruise missiles and precision strikes early on with a huge number of aircraft diverted to prevent potential take-offs from less suspected zones - the first military operation of this kind in mankind's history. Many aircraft were destroyed on the ground and/or during the course of take-offs. Those who somehow managed to be airborne, had too little to draw from and stood no chance.