Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Aircraft fire at missile sites in northern and southern Iraq

Released: 25 Jan 1999

Between 1:57 and 2:30 p.m. Iraqi time Jan. 25, coalition aircraft conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone were again illuminated and fired upon by Iraqi surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems in several incidents.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was fired upon by anti-aircraft artillery system. Two F-15E's then dropped one laser-guided bomb each on the system.

In another incident, a Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler launched an AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile at an SA-2 SAM site that posed a threat to coalition forces in the area.

An Air Force F-16C/J Fighting Falcon launched an AGM-88 HARM at a different SA-2 SAM site that posed a threat to coalition forces in the area.

Also, a separate Iraqi SAM site fired a missile at an F-15E. The F-15E safely evaded the missile.

There was no damage to coalition aircraft. Damage to Iraqi forces is currently being assessed.

All four incidents happened in the vicinity of Mosul.

Coalition forces assigned to Operation Northern Watch also monitored an Iraqi aircraft violation of the northern no-fly zone earlier that same morning.

Just the day before, coalition aircraft conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone in the early afternoon were targeted by Iraqi SAM and anti-aircraft artillery systems near Mosul.

In the first incident, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, acting in self-defense, launched an AGM-130 precision-guided missile and suppressed an Iraqi SA-3 SAM site that had posed a threat to coalition forces in the region. Indications are that the missile scored a direct hit on the site.

Subsequently, other patrolling aircraft were illuminated by additional Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery and missile systems. F-16CJ and EA-6B aircraft responded in self-defense and fired several high-speed anti-radiation missiles.

Damage to Iraqi forces is currently being assessed.

There was no damage to coalition aircraft and all returned safely to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

In the southern region of Iraq, at about 1:25 a.m. EST Jan. 25, coalition aircraft flying in support of Operation Southern Watch attacked an Iraqi SA-3 SAM site and associated integrated air defense systems. The incident occurred north of the city of Basrah in the southern no-fly zone.

Two Air Force F-15E's and four F/A-18 Hornets were conducting routine enforcement of the southern no-fly zone when they responded to threats by anti-aircraft artillery fire, and by two Iraqi MiG-21s and two Iraqi MiG-23s flying south of the 33rd Parallel in Iraq.

The operation involved coalition aircraft operating from land and sea bases in the U. S. Central Command area of responsibility.

All coalition aircraft have returned safely. Battle damage assessment is ongoing.

Since Operation Desert Fox, the Iraqi military has been increasing both the pace and severity of no-fly zone violations, according to a U.S. Central Command statement.

"Despite repeated warnings," the statement continued, "Iraqi actions and intentions pose serious threats to our aircrews, and our actions today are an appropriate response to these threats.

"U.S. and coalition aircraft enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq continuously assess the level of threat posed by the Iraqi forces and take actions that are necessary to reduce these threats and to defend themselves."