Headquarters, United States Central Command
February 13, 1999
Release Number: 9902-05
COALITION AIRCRAFT RESPOND TO IRAQI THREATS
MACDILL AFB, FL – Early this morning, coalition aircraft flying Operation Southern Watch missions over Iraq, dropped precision-guided munitions on Iraqi military targets in response to Iraqi violations of the Southern No-Fly Zone and United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
At approximately 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, U.S. Navy F/A-18s and F-14s attacked an Iraqi missile site on the Al Faw Peninsula. Approximately 30 minutes later, U.S. Air Force F-15Es responded to Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery by dropping munitions on air defense sites located near Tallil, approximately 170 miles southeast of Baghdad. The U.S. aircraft, operating from land and sea bases in the Southwest Asia Region, have returned to their bases safely and battle damage assessment is ongoing.
Coalition and naval forces are responsible for enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq and UN-mandated maritime sanctions. At the same time, these forces continuously assess the threat posed by Iraqi forces and take actions that are necessary to reduce these threats and to defend themselves.
Since Operation DESERT FOX, the Iraqi military has been increasing both the pace and severity of no-fly zone violations, and continued to enhance its military capabilities in Southern Iraq in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
There have been more than 90 no-fly zone violations and more than 70 incidents involving Iraqi surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and target tracking radar illuminations against coalition aircraft. Coalition forces have responded by attacking more than 40 targets that threatened coalition forces and were in violation on the UN resolutions.
Despite repeated warnings, Iraqi actions and intentions pose serious threats to our coalition forces and friends in the region. Our actions today are an appropriate response to these threats and are in support of the UN mandates.
