Coalition Aircraft Respond to Iraqi Threat and AAA Fire (21 Jun 99)

Coalition aircraft respond to Iraqi radar, AAA fire

UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND (21 June 1999) -- Between approximately 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Iraqi time today, Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft were targeted by Iraqi radar and fired upon by Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery. Responding in self-defense, U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons and F-15E Strike Eagles dropped GBU-12 laser guided bombs on an Iraqi military command and control site north of Mosul. Additionally, an Air Force F-16CJ Fighting Falcon launched an AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile (HARM) at an Iraqi surface-to-air missile radar site east of Mosul.

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.

Combined Task Force Combined Information Bureau Phone: 90-322-316-3704 or DSN: 314-676-3704

Updated 02 July 1999