Coalition aircraft respond to Iraqi ground fire

Coalition aircraft respond to Iraqi ground fire

Released: 25 May 1999

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFPN) -- Between approximately noon and 2:30 p.m. Iraqi time May 25, Operation Northern Watch aircraft detected anti-aircraft artillery fire, posing a threat to coalition aircraft.

Responding in self-defense, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16C Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-12 and GBU-10 laser-guided bombs on a communication site north of Mosul. The site was used to feed location data on ONW aircraft to Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile sites.

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.