Another Reaper [on April 21st] spotted terrorists manning a check-point, intended to stop free movement by the civilian population; a successful Hellfire attack was conducted on the position.

Mission Update – RDAF F-16 Operation Inherent Resolve

De danske F-16-fly, der er udsendt som bidrag til Operation Inherent Resolve, har siden seneste opdatering 14. april fløjet 9 missioner og anvendt 16 bomber.

Missionerne, som de danske fly har deltaget i, har været offensive, og de danske fly har i den forløbne periode primært deltaget i missioner i Salah al Din og Al Anbar. Målene for bomberne har været bygninger og fjendtlige våbenstillinger.

De danske fly har fløjet Close Air Support-missioner (CAS), hvor flyene er indsat direkte som luftstøtte til styrker på landjorden. Her vil flyene patruljere over et bestemt område, hvorefter de vil kunne blive indsat af koalitionen, når der er behov for støtte. Luftstøtten vil variere afhængig af, hvad der er behov for. Det kan både dreje sig om overvågningsopgaver og bombninger af mål.

På de missioner, hvor de danske F-16 ikke har anvendt våben, har de bidraget med overvågning og indhentning af efterretninger. På sådanne overvågningsmissioner er flyene dog altid klar til at anvende våben, hvis der er behov for det.

Siden første mission den 16. oktober 2014, har det danske bidrag i alt fløjet 293 missioner og anvendt 233 bomber. Alle de danske bomber er præcisionsstyrede, hvilket vil sige, at de styres mod deres mål ved hjælp af enten laser eller GPS.

Nederlandse F-16’s vlogen bijna 30 missies boven Irak. Ze wierpen bijna even zoveel bommen af op doelen van terreurorganisatie ISIS. Een overzicht van Defensie-operaties van 13 tot en met 19 april.

Nederlandse F-16’s vlogen bijna 30 missies boven Irak. Ze wierpen bijna even zoveel bommen af op doelen van terreurorganisatie ISIS. Een overzicht van Defensie-operaties van 13 tot en met 19 april.

April 21st 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., April 20, and 8 a.m., April 21, local time. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six airstrikes using attack, fighter and bomber aircraft. Separately in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 22 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using fighter, attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists. These 22 strikes are a result of the Iraqi Security and Kurdish Forces conducting simultaneous offensive operations.

“The Coalition is continuing to target Daesh in and around Mosul,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR Chief of Public Affairs. “The deliberate strike on a Daesh IED factory highlights the coalition’s ability to target Daesh weapons production capabilities.”

The following is a summary of the strikes conducted since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL checkpoint, destroying four ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL vehicles.

* Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL vehicle and two ISIL fighting positions.

Iraq

* Near Al Asad, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL excavator.

* Near Al Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL mortar system.

* Near Bayji, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapons, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL fighting position.

* Near Fallujah, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL VBIED, an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL IED.

* Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL IED factory and multiple ISIL fighting positions.

* Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck an ISIL large and small tactical unit, destroying three ISIL fighting positions.

* Near Sinjar, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL buildings.

* Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL buildings and an ISIL recoilless rifle.

Airstrike assessments are based on initial reports. All aircraft returned to base safely. The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group’s ability to project terror and conduct operations.

Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States. Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Syria include Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and U.S.

On 20 Apr 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi Security Forces, two CF-188 Hornets successfully struck ISIS fighting positions in Ramadi using precision guided munitions.

Later in the morning [of April 20th] a Reaper identified a bulldozer used by ISIL terrorists to construct a roadblock ahead of an Iraqi army advance, and destroyed it with a Hellfire missile.

Further attacks were conducted by a Reaper on Sunday 19 April, in western Iraq: terrorists were spotted attempting to position an IED, but were hit by a Hellfire missile which detonated the bomb.

The same aircraft then engaged an ISIL vehicle carrying heavy weaponry.

In the early hours of Monday morning [April 20th], a Reaper operating ahead of an Iraqi advance in Anbar province identified an ambush prepared by ISIL. These were hit by Hellfire missiles.

On April 19, 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, CF-188 Hornets successfully struck ISIS fighting positions in vicinity of Ramadi using precision guided munitions.