Coalition aircraft respond to Iraqi ground fire
UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND (4 Aug 99) -- Between approximately 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon Iraqi time today, Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft were shot at by Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire.
Responding in self-defense, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16C Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-10, GBU-12 and GBU-15 guided bombs on four different AAA emplacements and their support elements. These AAA sites were to the north, northwest, south, and southeast of the city of Mosul.
Damage to Iraqi forces is currently being assessed. All coalition aircraft departed the area safely.
Coalition aircraft have been enforcing the Northern No-fly Zone for more than eight years. Since Dec 98, 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.
For more information, please contact the Combined Task Force Combined Information Bureau, ctf.cib@incirlik.af.mil, or phone +90-322-316-3704.
Operation Northern Watch
Updated 16 August 1999
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
