Coalition aircraft respond to Iraqi ground fire UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND (16 July 1999) -- Between approximately 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Iraqi time today, Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft were shot at by Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery fire. Responding in self-defense, U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on a communications facility southeast of Mosul. This site is used to transmit information from radars that in-turn target coalition aircraft.
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. 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.
The Combined Task Force Combined Information Bureau can be reached at90-322-316-3704 or DSN: 314-676-3704
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