Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Operation Northern Watch Combined Information Bureau

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (USAFENS) -- What started out as a request for 48 hours of combat air patrols turned into six days of practically non-stop flying as Operation Northern Watch flew top-cover for a U.S. envoy meeting Iraqi opposition leaders in northern Iraq, Feb. 24 to March 2.

Though not designed for around-the-clock operations, Operation Northern Watch aircraft patrolled the skies of Iraq for more than 129 hours while flying 290 sorties.

"This was one of the most challenging missions ever accomplished in the history of Operation Northern Watch," said Brig. Gen. Robin Scott, co-commanding general of the combined task force based here.  "Our people proved once again that we have the best pilots, the best aircraft and the best maintainers in the world."

During the long hours of support to the envoy's meeting on dangerous ground, Operation Northern Watch achieved some historic "firsts."  For the first time in the history of the coalition enforcing the northern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft dropped precision-guided bombs in response to threats from Iraqi mobile surface-to-surface missile launchers south of Mosul, Feb. 24.  Another historic first for the northern no-fly zone was when coalition aircraft dropped 240,000 leaflets northeast of Mosul warning Iraqi gunners not to target or fire upon coalition aircraft, March 1.

"It was truly a team effort," said Brig. Gen. Scott.  "My co-commander, Brig. Gen. (Levent) Turkmen and his staff worked tirelessly, providing the necessary coordination and approvals from a myriad of Turkish agencies to keep the mission on track.  The 39th Wing worked with us day and night to ensure we had all the support we needed to carry out the mission."

Though definitely not a first, coalition aircraft also came under Iraqi anti-aircraft-artillery fire midway through the missions and responded by knocking-out critical military communication sites west and south of Mosul, Feb. 27.

Since the end of Operation Desert Storm in 1991, coalition forces have enforced the northern no-fly zone despite being fired upon by the Iraqis nearly every mission.

"Our day-to-day Operation Northern Watch mission is difficult and dangerous even under normal circumstances," said Scott.  "Last week, despite long hours, marginal weather conditions and nighttime operations, our team stayed at the top of their game and made it look easy."

To keep up with the heavy demand for air refueling, Operation Enduring Freedom tankers and aircrews were quickly 'chopped' to support the missions over northern Iraq. 

"During the six days of the operation, our tanker team offloaded 5.6 million pounds during in-flight refueling," said Scott.  "Without these crucial assets, we would have never maintained our 24/7 operations over Iraq."

During the mission, coalition fighters, tankers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets worked as a team to enforce the no-fly zone and provide air cover.  Missions required a mix of aircraft and on any given day have included: E-3B Sentry AWACS, EA-6B Prowler, EP-3, F-15C Eagle, F-16CJ and F-16CG Falcons, UH-60 Blackhawk, MC-130 Combat Talon, KC-135R Stratotanker, C-12, British GR-3 Jaguar, Nimrod and VC-10 Tankers.

AWACS crews of the 970th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., flew 14 sorties and 173 hours without a single air or ground abort.

"Gen. (Charles) Wald, deputy commander of U.S. European Command, Gen. (Gregory) Martin, commander of U. S. Air Forces in Europe and Marine Corps. Brig. Gen. (James) Jones, commander of Special Operations Command Europe, all pass along their personal thanks and congratulations to our team on a job well-done," said Scott.