U.S. Naval forces lead strike on Iraq
by Dennis L. Everette, Navy News Service Editor
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 1998 -Ships and aircraft from the
USS
Enterprise (CVN 65) Battle Group (BG) and other ships in
the Arabian Gulf launched
Tomahawk cruise missiles
against military targets in Iraq on Dec. 16 as part of
Operation Desert Fox.
Units participating in the attack included aircraft
from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Three, USS Gettysburg (CG
64), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Hopper (DDG 70),
USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Fletcher (DD 992), USS Hayler
(DD 997), USS Nicholson (DD 982) and USS Miami (SSN
755). In addtion, USS Carr (FFG 52), USS Belleau Wood
(LHA 3) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) are providing superb
support during Operation Desert Fox.
"Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear,
chemical and biological weapons programs and its
military capacity to threaten its neighbors," said
President Clinton during an afternoon press conference
announcing the strikes.
According to defense officials, military targets
were selected on the basis of their military
significance to the Iraqi regime, including the targets'
contribution to Iraq's ability to produce, store,
maintain and deliver weapons of mass destruction - with
consideration given to minimizing collateral damage
without adding undue risk to U.S. combatants.
"It is inevitable during conflict that the focus
would be on our weapons and their effectiveness," said
Army Gen. Henry H. Shelton, Chairman, Joints Chiefs of
Staff. "But, we must not lose sight of the fact that it
is our people that make the difference. It is our superb
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines that make America
the super power that it is. We owe men and women in
uniform carrying out this operation a great deal."
To reinforce naval forces already on station, the
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Battle Group is scheduled to
arrive in the region Dec. 18.
-USN-
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