Coalition aircraft respond in self-defense
March 12, 1999
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Between 10:30 a.m. and noon Iraqi time today, Operation Northern Watch aircraft detected several active Iraqi radars posing a threat to coalition aircraft. Responding in self-defense, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped GBU-12 laser guided bombs and a U.S. Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler fired a High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile on several Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery sites north and northwest of Mosul. All coalition aircraft returned safely.
Coalition aircraft have been enforcing the Northern no-fly zone nearly eight years. Since Dec. 28, 1998, Saddam Hussein has opted to challenge this enforcement by targeting coalition aircraft with radar, surface-to-air missile systems and anti-aircraft artillery. Operation Northern Watch aircraft will respond in self-defense to these threats while continuing to enforce the no-fly zone.
Coalition forces assigned to Operation Northern Watch (ONW) will continue to enforce the northern no-fly zone.
The ONW Combined Task Force Public Affairs can be reached at +90-322316-3679.
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