December 8th 2014 – Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado GR4s have struck further ISIL targets over the weekend while flying in support of Iraqi ground forces.On Friday [December 5th], an armed reconnaissance patrol of GR4s investigated a reportedISIL position near Rawa in western Iraq. An observation tower and nearby equipment were located and attacked with Paveway IV guided bombs.

In the early hours of Saturday morning [December 6th], a further GR4 patrol in the same area also successfully attacked an ISIL armoured personnel carrier using a Brimstone missile.

On Sunday [December 7th], 2 Tornados were on reconnaissance when Iraqi troops reported coming under fire from terrorists in the vicinity of Bayji. The RAF aircraft responded rapidly, and when they arrived on the scene were able to spot the ISIL position. Since the target was in a built-up area, a very careful assessment was made in cooperation with another coalition surveillance aircraft, and the aircrew used the small and extremely precise Brimstone missile to carry out a successful attack which struck the enemy position.

Early this morning [December 8th], a fourth Tornado patrol operating in north-western Iraq, around Mount Sinjar, located 2 ISIL armoured personnel carriers and hit them with Brimstone missiles.