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Air and Space Expeditionary Forces Rotate into Operation Northern Watch

December 16, 2002

by Major Bob Thompson Director, Combined Information Bureau

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, TURKEY -- More than 1,000 airmen are replacing Operation Northern Watch veterans as the Air and Space Expeditionary Force system performs its regular three-month rotation from late November through the first part of December.

Based at Incirlik AB, Turkey, the new airmen join Turkish and British coalition partners to enforce the No-Fly Zone in Northern Iraq and monitor Iraqi forces to determine compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

"This is a combat mission that has been going on for more than 11 years," said Brig. Gen. Robin Scott, Commanding General of Combined Task Force Operation Northern Watch. "This is the real thing -- coalition aircraft are under fire and threatened by Iraqi anti-aircraft systems nearly every time we fly."

Though the majority of the U.S. contingent is made up of Air and Space Expeditionary Forces on three month tours, Operation Northern Watch is a Combined Task Force which includes active duty Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force members as well as National Guard and reserve troops on 14 to 180 day tours.

"We have a 700 percent annual turn-over rate in personnel," said Col. Stephen West, Combined Task Force Chief of Staff. "More than 9,000 troops cycle through Operation Northern Watch each year."

The task force includes more than 50 U.K. and U.S. aircraft assigned. Coalition fighters, tankers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets work as a team to enforce the no-fly zone. Missions require a mix of aircraft and on any given day could include: EA-6B Prowler, E-3 Sentry AWACS, F-15C, F-15E, F-16CJ, F-16CG, HH-60, HC-130, KC-135 Stratotanker, UH-60 Blackhawk, EP-3, C-12, British GR-3 Jaguar, Nimrod and VC-10 Tankers.

"We have the best pilots, flying the best aircraft, maintained by the best ground crews in the world," said Brig. Gen. Scott. "Our people make our mission a success."

The Northern No-fly Zone includes all Iraqi airspace north of the 36th parallel. Started in 1997, Operation Northern Watch is the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, which began April 1991.

Regardless of the name however, Saddam Hussein's forces have shot at the coalition patrols ever since the Northern No-Fly Zone was established -- challenging coalition efforts to enforce the U.N. Security Council Resolutions.

"Our aircrews must deal with these threats," said Brig. Gen. Scott. "We are defensive in nature, but not defenseless. Our crews have the right of self-defense and won't let anything get in the way of fulfilling their mission." Because of recent events, there is an increase in world attention to the Northern No-Fly Zone activities. However, officials and aircrew state that Operation Northern Watch flights and engagements continue to be fairly consistent with years past.

"Our unit has been here four times and I'd say that nothing is different," said Lt. Col. "Shaggy" of the 124th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Iowa National Guard.

U.K. and U.S. aircraft fly patrol missions over Iraq an average of 18 days each month. By the end of November 2002, coalition forces have flown 106 days in the Northern No-Fly Zone. In 2001, they flew 146 days over northern Iraq and in 2000, they flew 164 days. Nearly every mission, they are under fire and threatened by elements of the Iraqi integrated air defense system. Anti-aircraft-artillery fire is the most common threat and is usually seen firing from two to five different locations.

"You can't really fully prepare yourself to be under fire," said Lt. Col. "Stillie," Deputy Commander of 78th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Shaw AFB, S.C.

"Your training takes over and you try to remain as calm as possible."

Though it is not unusual that the Iraqis shoot at coalition aircraft regularly, the experience is anything but routine.

"Coming under fire is a life-changing event," said Brig. Gen. Scott.

"I haven't seen any anti-aircraft fire really close yet," said Maj. "Gizmo" of the 124th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. "I've seen Triple-A puffs in the distance and it gets your attention -- but you practice so much that your job is ingrained in you no matter what the situation."

Since Operation Northern Watch began nearly five years ago, no coalition aircraft have been lost during missions over Iraq. Over the years, coalition aircraft have responded to Iraqi attacks by dropping munitions on a wide variety of targets that supported anti-aircraft activities. Some of the targets have been missile sites, radar systems, command and control sites and anti-aircraft guns.

"If we provoke an attack from the Iraqis, it is only because of our mission to enforce the No-Fly Zone," said Brig. Gen. Scott. "Our people do an outstanding job in accomplishing this dangerous duty. They come in here usually for just 90 days. They work side-by-side with our Turkish hosts and our U.K. partners. Everyone hits the ground running and that's what has made us so successful at this job for the past 11 years."