Release A050907a

Predator strike footage available on DVIDS

Multi-National Force-Iraq

BALAD, Iraq – Multi-National Force – Iraq has released footage of an unmanned aerial vehicle strike on terrorists.

The footage available through the DVIDS hub is from one of two strikes which took place the morning of Sept. 5.

In the video, a U.S. Air Force Predator UAV responded to an attack on Balad Air Base using a Hellfire missile at 5:08 a.m. The missile attack specifically targeted the terrorists responsible for firing a 60mm mortar at the air base.

The 42nd Infantry Division requested the support of the Joint Tactical Air Controller and directed the Predator to the mortar attack's point of origin. The Predator then followed a terrorist from the mortar's point of origin as he ran toward a house. Four other suspected terrorists are also visible in the video.

The video from the Predator and the following timeline outline these specific events:

5 Sept 0458 60mm mortar fired at Balad Airbase

5 Sept 0459 Point of origin from mortar attack is determined

5 Sept 0500 Joint Tactical Air Controller contacted for UAV support

5 Sept 0502 Runner joins four others near to house, hot mortar tube visible

5 Sept 0508 Hellfire missile fired

A second Predator-launched Hellfire engaged terrorists thirteen minutes later, in response to a separate 60mm mortar attack. No video of the second strike is available on DVIDS.

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For more information regarding this release, contact the CPIC Press Desk at cpicpressdesk@iraq.centcom.mil . For access to the Predator video, log on to http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php and follow the website's instructions.