Monday 27 February – Tornados struck a mortar team in Mosul and a Daesh tank in Palmyra, Syria, while a Reaper supported coalition air strikes at Al Qaim and destroyed an anti-aircraft gun…Tornados saw further action over western Mosul on Monday 27 February, when they struck another terrorist mortar team with a Paveway IV. The Tornado flight then headed west into Syria, where a main battle tank operated by Daesh had been identified at Tadmur, in the ancient city of Palmyra. A Brimstone missile scored a solid hit on the target. Close to Iraq’s border with Syria, a Reaper meanwhile provided surveillance support to coalition air strikes on two Daesh facilities in Al Qaim, manufacturing truck-bombs and other improvised explosive devices. An anti-aircraft gun was spotted, despite efforts to conceal it under cover, and was destroyed by one of the Reaper’s Hellfires.

On Feb. 26, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 101 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 21 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area and destroyed four fighting positions, two ammo caches, a mortar system, a vehicle, a chemical weapons facility and an ISIS headquarters.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed five well heads and an oil manifold.

* Near Palmyra, two strikes destroyed six pump jacks.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 80 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Kirkuk, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed four ISIS-held buildings, and damaged a tunnel.

* Near Mosul, fives strikes [1 British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and two ISIS staging areas; destroyed eight fighting positions, six mortar systems, five vehicles, three VBIEDs, two roadblocks, two ISIS-held buildings, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two VBIED facilities, two weapons caches, a tactical vehicle, a sniper position, a supply cache, a bulldozer and a tunnel entrance; damaged nine supply routes and a front-end loader; and suppressed 18 mortar teams and five ISIS tactical units.

* Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a weapons cache and a supply cache.

* Near Sinjar, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed eight tactical vehicles and two weapons storage facilities.

Sunday 26 February – Tornados attacked a terrorist group a few miles west of Mosul, as well as eliminating seven armoured vehicles to the west of Tall Afar…On Sunday 26 February, two flights of Tornados operated over northern Iraq. One patrolled just to the west of Mosul, where a Paveway IV was employed to kill a small group of terrorists as they manoeuvred in the open. The second pair of Tornados headed to an area some 25 miles south-west of Tall Afar, where a number of Daesh armoured trucks had been spotted. The Tornados found one pair of vehicles on the move across the desert and destroyed both with simultaneous attacks with Brimstone missiles. A convoy of five more armoured trucks was then identified nearby, stationary on a stretch of road. All were destroyed with a combination of Brimstones and Paveway IVs. A series of secondary explosions ensued as the vehicles and their cargoes burned.

On Feb. 25, Coalition military forces conducted 41 strikes consisting of 108 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes consisting of 24 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed a VBIED.

* Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a tactical vehicle and a mortar system.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, seven strikes destroyed six well heads, an oil tanker truck and a front-end loader.

* Near Palmyra, seven strikes engaged two ISIS staging areas and an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed five storage units, three tanks, two vehicles, an oil storage tank, a pump jack and an ISIS-held building; and damaged two oil storage tanks.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes consisting of 84 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.

* Near Bayji, seven strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed five vehicles, two ISIS compounds and a tunnel entrance.

* Near Kisik, two strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS-held building.

* Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 fighting positions, 11 mortar systems, three vehicles, three weapons caches, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIEDs, a sniper position, an ISIS headquarters, two heavy machine guns, an artillery system, a UAV staging area, and a supply cache; and suppressed 14 mortar teams, two ISIS tactical units, an artillery team and a rocket-propelled grenade team.

* Near Tal Afar, six strikes destroyed four ISIS headquarters, a vehicle and a tactical vehicle.

On Feb. 24, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 125 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Shadaddi, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed three fighting positions, two vehicles, an ISIS headquarters, a storage facility and a VBIED.

* Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes destroyed an artillery system, a mortar system, a rocket system, a watercraft, a weapons storage facility and a chemical weapons facility.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed two oil well heads.

* Near Palmyra, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a tactical vehicle.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 95 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a heavy machine gun and a logistics node.

* Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed a homemade explosives cache and a VBIED factory.

* Near Bayji, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five ISIS-held buildings, three vehicles, a fighting position and a front-end loader.

* Near Mosul, five strikes [2 British] engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS sniper unit; destroyed nine fighting positions, eight mortar systems, five ISIS-held buildings, four command and control nodes, three VBIED facilities, three tactical vehicles, two vehicles, two artillery systems, two anti-air artillery systems, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a UAV storage facility, a front-end loader, a VBIED staging area and a supply cache; damaged 12 supply routes and four ISIS-held buildings; and suppressed 22 mortars and an artillery system.

Friday 24 February – A Reaper destroyed three truck-bombs, while a Tornado struck a mortar, all in western Mosul…The following day [February 24th], another Tornado mission attacked a further mortar position which was under the cover of some trees in western Mosul, again using a single Paveway IV for the attack. A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft meanwhile flew overwatch for an Iraqi unit as it advanced into the city. The Iraqi troops encountered a bulldozer rigged with explosives which was blocking movement along a street. With the Iraqis taking cover, the Reaper’s crew were able to destroy safely the booby-trapped vehicle with a Hellfire missile. The Reaper then scouted over a group of workshops known to produce improvised armoured vehicles and truck bombs. Two such vehicles were identified, one parked in the open, the other being worked on in a garage, and both were destroyed with direct hits from Hellfires.

On Feb. 23, Coalition military forces conducted 36 strikes consisting of 120 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes consisting of 36 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four oil separation tanks.

* Near Al Bab, one strike destroyed a tank.

* Near Al Shadaddi, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; and destroyed three fighting positions, two vehicles, a storage shed, a tactical vehicle and a weapons storage facility.

* Near Ar Raqqah, 17 strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; and destroyed three pump jacks, a command and control node, a fighting position and a tactical vehicle.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed six oil tanker trucks.

* Near Palmyra, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 84 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Mosul, six strikes [1 British] engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight mortar systems, six fighting positions, three vehicles, three weapons caches, two supply caches, two VBIEDs, two VBIED facilities, an ISIS-held building, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an anti-air artillery system, a light machine gun, an explosives factory, a UAV factory, and an armoring factory; damaged 18 supply routes and six tunnels; and suppressed 33 mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed a UAV launch site and a VBIED.

Thursday 23 February – Tornados bombed a Daesh mortar team inside western Mosul…

As Iraqi forces liberated Mosul airport and began pushing into the part of the city still held by Daesh, Royal Air Force and other coalition aircraft provided continual close air support.

A flight of RAF Tornados used a Paveway IV guided bomb on Thursday 23 February to attack a Daesh mortar team operating inside western Mosul. The aircrew waited patiently for some unidentified, possibly civilian, traffic to move clear of the target before they delivered a successful strike.

En Syrie, la situation évolue peu, que ce soit dans la région d’Al Bab où de Raqqah ou les forces démocratiques syriennes progresse méthodiquement en poursuivant leur manœuvre d’encerclement de la ville de Raqqah.

En Irak, l’organisation poursuit sa campagne d’attentats terroristes, visant toujours essentiellement la capitale Bagdad, en continuant à faire de nombreux morts parmi la population civile.

L’activité des opérations sur le théâtre du Levant a été marquée en début de semaine par le lancement de l’offensive visant à libérer la partie Ouest de la ville de Mossoul.

Dans une manœuvre cordonnée et planifiée, appuyée par la coalition, les unités irakiennes ont commencé leur progression. Faisant face à la défense de Daech, les forces irakiennes ont progressé sur le flanc sud-ouest de Mossoul. Ils sont parvenus à proximité d’Abu Saïf sur la rive occidentale du Tigre, au sud de l’aéroport de Mossoul, point clef avant d’atteindre les quartiers plus résidentiels de la ville.

Face à la reprise de l’offensive, Daech semble chercher à se réfugier dans la zone urbaine que ses combattants ont fortement fortifiée les semaines passées. Dans le même temps, l’organisation terroriste tente de fragiliser la sécurisation de l’Est de la ville par les FSI en y menant des actions de harcèlement et en en faisant la cible de tirs indirects.

Plus à l’ouest, Daech essaie de maintenir un axe logistique vers Tal Afar, porte de sortie vers la Syrie.

ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL

Cette semaine, les missions aériennes des avions français engagés contre Daech ont ainsi représenté 36 sorties dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol, et 8 de recueil de renseignements. Les 3 frappes réalisées ont permis de détruire 3 objectifs.

Dès le lancement de l’offensive pour la libération de Mossoul Ouest, les Rafale de l’armée de l’air sont entrés en action au-dessus de la ville. Le 20 février ils ont réalisé, en appui de l’offensive de Mossoul, deux frappes au Sud-Ouest de la ville, contre des pièces d’artillerie de Daech installées dans le secteur clef de l’aéroport.

Une frappe a par ailleurs été conduite en Syrie dans la région de Der Ez Zawr pour détruire une 1 cache d’armes.

Appui feu – TF Wagram

La reprise de l’offensive dans l’ouest de Mossoul et les opérations de sécurisation dans l’Est a également largement mobilisé la TF Wagram cette semaine. Ce sont en tout 45 missions de tirs en appui des forces irakiennes qui ont été réalisées. Le nombre de missions en augmentation sensible et la proportion croissante de missions de destruction (34) soulignent l’évolution des effets recherchés sur le terrain. Une grande partie des appuis fournis a visé l’arrière des défenses de Daech, afin de désorganiser ses unités, sa logistique et ses communications, et faciliter ainsi la progression des FSI.

On Feb. 22, Coalition military forces conducted 38 strikes consisting of 94 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 32 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four oil refinement stills and a vehicle.

* Near Al Bab, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a VBIED.

* Near Al Shadaddi, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters.

* Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area and destroyed three pump jacks, a command and control node, a fighting position and a tactical vehicle.

* Near At Tanf, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two tactical vehicles.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed seven oil separation tanks, and oil wellhead, an oil tanker truck and an oil inlet manifold.

* Near Palmyra, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed four tactical vehicles.

* Near Tamakh, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 62 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Bayji, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed a tactical vehicle and a heavy machine gun; and suppressed a mortar team.

* Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three mortar systems, two ISIS-held buildings, two VBIED factories, a supply cache, a fighting position, a front-end loader, an excavator, a dump truck, a generator trailer, a weapons cache and a vehicle; damaged 15 supply routes and three tunnels; and suppressed 17 mortar teams and an artillery team.

* Near Qayyarah, one strike destroyed a weapons cache.

* Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS-held building and a vehicle.

* Near Tal Afar, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and an ISIS staging area and destroyed two weapons caches, a VBIED, a front-end loader, an IED factory and an ISIS-held building.

Wednesday 22 February – Tornados attacked four chokepoints on the road network leading out of western Mosul, to prevent truck-bombs and supplies being sent to hamper the Iraqi advance…A further Tornado mission on Wednesday 22 February saw our aircraft use Paveway IVs to cut the road network leading out of south-west Mosul, preventing efforts by Daesh to move men and supplies, particularly their favoured truck-bomb weapons, to resist the advance of the Iraqi forces. Four key chokepoints at a major junction on the southern outskirts of the city were chosen, all at a safe distance from residential areas, and all were accurately struck by the guided bombs.

On Feb. 21, Coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes consisting of 93 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes consisting of 36 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions and three tactical vehicles; and damaged two bridges.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes destroyed seven modular oil refineries, two workover oil rigs and a pump jack.

* Near Palmyra, four strikes destroyed a tactical vehicle, a heavy machine gun, and a pump jack; and damaged a tank.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 57 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

*Near Baghdad, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 11 vehicles, a front-end loader and a weapons cache; and damaged a bridge.

* Near Mosul, four strikes [2 British] engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed three mortar systems, three vehicles, two IEDs, two command and control nodes, a supply cache, an artillery system, a front-end loader, an excavator, a tactical vehicle and a medium machine gun; damaged 13 supply routes and a tunnel; and suppressed 13 mortar teams and an artillery team.

* Near Rawah, one strike engaged two ISIS staging areas and an ISIS tactical unit; and destroyed an anti-air artillery system and a storage facility.

* Near Tal Afar, two strikes destroyed an excavator and a VBIED.

Tuesday 21 February – Typhoons demolished a Daesh causeway across the Little Zab river, whilst Tornados struck an artillery piece near Mosul, and a tunnel on the southern outskirts of the city…Other RAF aircraft carried out intensive reconnaissance patrols over both Syria and Iraq during this period, and further attacks were delivered by both Tornados and Typhoons on Tuesday 21 February. Two Typhoon FGR4s were tasked with the mission of denying Daesh the use of a causeway across the Little Zab river, a number of miles west of Kirkuk. Paveway IV guided bombs demolished not only the causeway, but also heavy machine-gun and mortar positions guarding it. The Tornados continued their operations to support the Iraqi forces advancing on western Mosul. A Daesh artillery piece, sited some 15 miles north-west of the city, opened fire on Iraqi troops. Iraqi artillery fire in return forced the terrorists manning the gun to seek shelter, and before they were able to re-crew the weapon, the Tornado flight arrived on the scene and destroyed it with a direct hit from a Paveway IV. The ammunition stockpile was also set on fire. The Tornados then patrolled over west Mosul itself, and used a second Paveway IV to collapse a tunnel entrance on the city’s southern outskirts.

On Feb. 20, Coalition military forces conducted 26 strikes consisting of 89 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 28 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Bab, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed four ISIS-held buildings, and damaged an ISIS-held building.

* Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, a VBIED, a garage, an IED and a weapons facility; and damaged a bridge.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed six oil wellheads.

* Near Palmyra, three strikes destroyed 26 oil tanker trucks.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 61 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and an ISIS staging area and destroyed a weapons cache, a VBIED, and a VBIED facility.

* Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS-held buildings, a VBIED, a vehicle, a tactical vehicle and a UAV.

* Near Mosul, six strikes [2 French] engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 11 mortar systems, three ISIS headquarters, three ISIS-held buildings, two anti-air artillery systems, two tactical vehicles, two supply caches, a front-end loader, a fighting position, a weapons facility, a VBIED and an IED; damaged nine supply routes and suppressed 14 mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed a VBIED facility.

Dès le lancement de l’offensive pour la libération de Mossoul Ouest, les Rafale de l’armée de l’air sont entrés en action au-dessus de la ville. Le 20 février ils ont réalisé, en appui de l’offensive de Mossoul, deux frappes au Sud-Ouest de la ville, contre des pièces d’artillerie de Daech installées dans le secteur clef de l’aéroport.

On Feb. 19, Coalition military forces conducted 29 strikes consisting of 92 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes consisting of 29 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Bab, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Al Shadaddi, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a vehicle.

* Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS headquarters, a vehicle, a command and control node, a VBIED, a VBIED facility, an artillery system, and a tunnel.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed seven oil wellheads.

* Near Palmyra, one strike destroyed an anti-air artillery system.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes consisting of 63 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Haditha, one strike destroyed five connexes.

* Near Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

* Near Mosul, six strikes [2 British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and two ISIS staging areas; destroyed five mortar systems, four vehicles, three supply caches, three artillery systems, two command and control nodes, an ISIS headquarters, an IED facility, a heavy machine gun, a logistics node and a fighting position; damaged 15 supply routes; and suppressed nine mortar teams and an artillery team.

* Near Rawah, two strikes destroyed two VBIED facilities and an ISIS-held building.

* Near Taji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Tal Afar, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building and an excavator.

Sunday 19 February – Tornados supported Iraqi troops advancing on western Mosul, attacking mortar positions to the south and north-west of the city…With the launch on Sunday 19 February of the Iraqi offensive to liberate western Mosul, Tornados formed part of the coalition air support. Our aircraft conducted two attacks during the course of their mission: a Paveway IV was used to strike a Daesh mortar position just to the south of Mosul, then a second Paveway destroyed another mortar sited to the north-west of the city – although the mortar itself was not visible to the aircrew, the impact of the Paveway caused a sizeable secondary explosion, indicating that the ammunition supply had been hit.

On Feb. 18, Coalition military forces conducted 40 strikes consisting of 71 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 26 strikes consisting of 28 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two vehicles and a communications tower.

* Near Al Bab, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position and a vehicle.

* Near Ar Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed four oil storage tanks, three fighting positions, two ISIS-held buildings, two vehicles, a weapons cache, an oil refinement still and a communications station.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, 10 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed eight oil wellheads, a weapons cache, a fighting position and an oil pump jack.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 43 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three tents, a vehicle, and a tactical vehicle.

* Near Kirkuk, one strike destroyed three front-end loaders and a bulldozer.

* Near Kisik, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a weapons cache and an ISIS-held building.

* Near Mosul, nine strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed four ISIS headquarters, four watercraft, three engineering equipment pieces, three command and control nodes, two artillery systems, a vehicle, an excavator, a fighting position, an ISIS-held building, and an ISIS support facility; damaged nine supply routes and three tunnels; and suppressed 11 mortar teams, and an artillery team.

* Near Taji, one strike destroyed an ISIS-held building

On Feb. 17, Coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes consisting of 54 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes consisting of 19 engagements against ISIS targets.

• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an oil wellhead.

• Near Al Bab, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

• Near Al Shadaddi, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a tactical vehicle and a weapons cache.

• Near Ar Raqqah, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed 70 oil barrels, three oil storage tanks, three fighting positions, two oil refinement stills and a weapons storage area; and damaged a bridge.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed five oil wellheads.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 35 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

• Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.

• Near Kirkuk, one strike [1 British?] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building and a fighting position.

• Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed eight front-end loaders, four excavators, three watercraft, an ISIS-held building and a barge; damaged 11 supply routes; and suppressed five mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit.

Coalition forces strike five-story facility in Mosul

SOUTHWEST ASIA- With the approval of the government of Iraq, Coalition forces struck an ISIS command and control headquarters and propaganda facility in Western Mosul on Feb. 17.

The five-story Bab Sinjar administration facility was located in the Al Jumhuri medical community complex. ISIS continues to ignore the Law of Armed Conflict and uses protected sites such as hospitals, schools, and mosques to try and shield themselves from Coalition airstrikes.

In this instance, the Coalition was able to determine through intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance efforts that ISIS did not use the building for any medical purposes and that civilians were no longer accessing the site.

The intelligence showed that its sole function was as a military command and control facility for ISIS to oversee its operations against the people of Iraq.

Coalition forces comply with the Law of Armed Conflict, work diligently to be precise in our airstrikes, and take all feasible precautions during the planning and execution of air strikes to reduce the risk of harm to civilians.

The air strikes conducted against legitimate ISIS military targets are just one of the ways the Coalition continues to work by, with, and through its Iraqi partners to defeat ISIS in Iraq.

Friday 17 February – Tornados destroyed a Daesh strongpoint to the west of Kirkuk…On Friday 17 February, a pair of Tornado GR4s from RAF Akrotiri conducted an armed reconnaissance patrol over northern Iraq. They were directed towards a terrorist strongpoint which had been identified some 17 miles west of Kirkuk. Having carefully checked the surrounding area for any indication of civilians who might be placed at risk, the Tornados released a single Paveway IV guided bomb which destroyed the target with a direct hit.

On Feb. 16, Coalition military forces conducted 41 strikes consisting of 62 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 34 strikes consisting of 35 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, five strikes destroyed seven oil tanker trucks, three oil refinement stills and two oil wellheads.

* Near Al Bab, one strike destroyed a decoy tactical vehicle.

* Near Ar Raqqah, 17 strikes engaged two ISIS staging areas and an ISIS tactical unit; and destroyed four tunnels, three fighting positions, three ISIS-held buildings, two weapons storage areas, two ISIS headquarters, a VBIED storage facility, a fuel station and a bridge.



* Near Dayr Az Zawr, 11 strikes destroyed 20 oil tanker trucks, six oil wellheads, two artillery systems, an oil storage tank and a crane.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 27 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed four watercraft, three front-end loaders, two shipping containers, a mortar system, an artillery system, a VBIED facility, a vehicle and an ISIS-held building; damaged 11 supply routes and a tunnel; and suppressed a mortar team and an artillery team.

* Near Tal Afar, three strikes destroyed an IED facility, a weapons storage facility, and a fuel storage area.

On Feb. 15, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 35 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes consisting of 19 engagements using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIS targets.

• Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed four oil pump jacks.

• Near Al Shadaddi, four strikes engaged an ISIS staging area, destroyed an ISIS headquarters and a weapons facility and damaged four supply routes.

• Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes destroyed three tunnels, an oil pump jack and an oil wellhead.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed four oil refinement stills, two oil tanker trucks, an oil wellhead and an ISIS headquarters.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 16 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter and artillery against ISIS targets.

• Near Mosul, eight strikes destroyed four weapons caches, two VBIED facilities, and an IED facility and damaged three supply routes.

• Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a bunker.

Immersion en opération Chammal – Episode 3

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Mise à jour : 15/02/2017

La mission sur l’Est de Mossoul est prête. Les équipages se reposent tandis que pompiers et commandos veillent.

22h00 : Repos physiologique.

Sur la petite terrasse aménagée devant sa chambre en zone vie, « Marco », le chef de patrouille, oublie un instant la mission. Un instant de détente, un moment de décompression après une journée riche en préparation. Un magazine ou un livre entre les mains, une discussion légère, une note d’humour permettent « de recharger les batteries ». Un repos physiologique bien mérité et surtout nécessaire afin d’être prêt à « attaquer » très tôt le lendemain matin. Cependant la mission ne reste jamais bien loin et revient à l’esprit au détour d’une phrase… L’heure tourne, il est temps de quitter ce lieu de convivialité et de se plier au rythme circadien d’une nuit de sommeil.

00h10 : Retour de mission, les pompiers en alerte.

Une équipe de l’ESIS (Escadron de Sécurité, d’Incendie et de Sauvetage) est attentive dans sa zone d’alerte. En liaison permanente avec les contrôleurs aériens de la tour, elle veille. Le Sergent-chef Laury alias « Grump » est d’alerte ce soir-là avec son équipe. Le top est donné : deux Rafale sont de retour après une série de frappes en profondeur sur les positions ennemies. Les pompiers se répartissent en trois camions : l’un de type VMA (véhicule Mousse Aérodrome), le second de type VIRP (Véhicule d’Intervention Rapide Polyvalent), quant au troisième, il s’agit d’un véhicule de désincarcération VSA (Véhicule de Secours Aéronautique). Le type d’avion conditionne le type et le nombre de véhicules d’intervention. Dans le cockpit de leur Rafale, les pilotes passent sur fréquence sol afin d’être en relation directe avec les équipes de pompiers. Attentifs au posés des chasseurs, les séquences se déroulent : regards rivés sur les phares, les « pistards » guident les appareils jusqu’au parking, posent les sécurités, suivent la coupure des moteurs et mettent en place les échelles. Le vol est terminé mais les « soldats du feu » restent vigilants 20 minutes encore après l’arrêt des réacteurs, car un feu reste toujours possible sur des pièces métalliques qui ont largement dépassé les 1000 degrés en vol.

02h45 : Les commandos de l’air veillent.

Une patrouille cynophile arpente le tarmac au plus près des aéronefs. Dans la nuit, seul le vent et le pas des hommes viennent briser le silence. Trois fusiliers commandos de l’air armés de leurs HK 416 scrutent la pénombre, aidés par leur berger malinois « Jax ». Ce dernier, lui, profite de la brise qui lui apporte les odeurs. En triangulation, le trinôme progresse : le caporal-chef Jason, le cynophile, en pointe tandis que les caporaux-chef Joris et Steven sont en retrait en position de couverture. Les flammes des sécurités flottent sous la brise nocturne et les minutes passent. Même si l’obscurité se veut apaisante, il faut savoir rester attentifs et alertes.

Tout est calme pour le moment, mais dans quelques heures, la quiétude du matin sera brisée par le vrombissement des réacteurs. Deux Rafale vont déchirer le ciel, fondre sur l’ennemi, prêt à appuyer l’avancée inexorable des forces de sécurité irakiennes qui reprennent Mossoul, quartier par quartier.

Chammal : le Forbin participe à l’exercice Unified Trident

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Mise à jour : 15/02/2017

Déployée dans le golfe Arabo-persique au titre de l’opération Chammal, en soutien de l’opération Inherent Resolve depuis fin décembre 2016, la frégate de défense aérienne Forbin, a participé à l’exercice Unified Trident, du 31 janvier au 2 février 2017.

Chammal : le Forbin participe à l’exercice Unified Trident

Cet exercice multilatéral majeur réunissant l’ensemble des Task Forces de la coalition présentes dans le Golfe a permis de rassembler des bâtiments et aéronefs issus des marines américaine, australienne, britannique, et française. Les scénarios mis en place ont été l’occasion pour toutes ces nations de travailler ensemble dans l’environnement contraint du Golfe arabo-persique tout en balayant les différents types d’opérations maritimes : lutte anti aérienne, anti sous-marine, surface.

Le Forbin, dont les capteurs et les capacités de détection sont particulièrement performants, a participé à l’ensemble des scénarios mis en place et s’est plus particulièrement vu assigner la direction de la défense aérienne du groupe et de son navire amiral, le porte-hélicoptères « HMS Ocean ».

Quelques jours de travail commun ont permis aux participants de démontrer leur interopérabilité – ou leur « plug and fight capability» comme le disent les marins – et de partager leur expérience et leurs savoir-faire dans l’objectif de contribuer à la préservation de la sécurité maritime dans le golfe Arabo-persique.

Le contrôle de l’espace aérien, la surveillance de l’espace maritime réalisés par le Forbin pendant l’exercice Unified Trident ne l’ont toutefois pas empêcherde poursuivre sa mission opérationnelle au sein de la Task Force 50 en contribuant à l’appréciation de la situation tactique sur le théâtre du Levant.

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 2014, l’opération Chammal est le volet français de l’opération Inherent Resolve (OIR). A la demande du gouvernement irakien et en coordination avec les alliés de la France présents dans la région, l’opération Chammal vise, à apporter un soutien militaire aux forces locales engagées dans le combat contre Daech sur leur territoire.

L’opération Chammal repose sur deux piliers complémentaires :

– un pilier ” appui ” destiné à appuyer les troupes engagées au sol contre Daech et à frapper les capacités militaires de Daech ;

– un pilier ” formation” au profit des forces de sécurité nationales irakiennes.

Chammal

APPRECIATION DE SITUATION

Sur l’ensemble du théâtre du Levant, la situation a peu évolué, au sens géographique du terme, cette semaine.

En Irak, la phase de sécurisation de Mossoul Est se poursuit et les forces de sécurisation se réarticulent pour libérer l’Ouest de Mossoul. Néanmoins, Daech continue de les harceler et durcit encore ses défenses dans la partie occidentale de la ville.

La capitale irakienne reste plongée dans une situation sécuritaire difficile en raison des attentats perpétrés.

En Syrie, les forces démocratiques syriennes ont progressé, notamment dans la partie Nord-Est de Raqqah. À Al Bab, le recul de Daech se poursuit au sein même de la ville même si la complexité des interactions entre protagonistes représente toujours un frein aux avancées tactiques.

ACTIVITES DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL

Appui aérien

Cette semaine, alors que la pause opérationnelle générée par la phase de sécurisation de Mossoul-Est se poursuit, les aéronefs ont réalisé 32 sorties aériennes dont 30 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 2 de recueil de renseignement. 7 frappes ont été réalisées pour détruire 7 objectifs, dont 5 en Irak dans la région de Mossoul et de Sinjar, et 2 en Syrie dans la région de Raqqah. Les frappes ont ciblé des groupes de combattants, des positions de tir ou des pick-up de Daech.

Après deux mois de présence et de missions opérationnelles au sein de l’opération Chammal, les deux Rafale de l’armée de l’air, déployés en renfort sur la base de Jordanie pendant la période d’absence de porte-avions, sont rentrés en métropole. Le nombre de Rafale français déployés en opération Chammal, est désormais revenu à 12 chasseurs.

Appui artillerie :

Depuis ses deux emprises au Nord et au sud de Mossoul, la TF Wagram a été largement sollicitée cette semaine avec près de 25 missions d’appuis réalisées.

Depuis son emprise près de Mossoul, les artilleurs ont appuyé les troupes irakiennes pour des missions d’éclairement destinées à gêner les mouvements de Daech et les tentatives de franchissement du Tigre ou des missions d’interdiction et de destruction contre des positions ennemies.

Depuis Qayyarah, la TF Wagram a conduit 11 missions d’éclairement afin de harceler les positions ennemies et faciliter l’action des Forces irakiennes dans la région de la poche d’Hawijah.

On Feb. 14, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 42 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

Syria

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 21 engagements using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, seven strikes destroyed seven oil refinement stills, five oil storage tanks and three oil wellheads.

* Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters; and damaged two supply routes and a bridge.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes destroyed five oil pump jacks, five oil wellheads, three oil storage tanks, two oil refinement stills and an oil tanker truck.

Iraq

Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 21 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using fighter and rocket artillery against ISIS targets.

* Near Kisik, two strikes damaged a tunnel.

* Near Mosul, three strikes [1 British] engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed three VBIED facilities, two IED facilities, a weapons facility, an ISIS-held building, an excavator, a supply cache, and a command and control node; damaged five supply routes and a supply cache; and suppressed three mortar teams.

Tuesday 14 February – Typhoons bombed a Daesh headquarters in north-western Mosul…Careful surveillance operations allowed a building on the north-western outskirts of Mosul to be identified as a Daesh headquarters. With Iraqi forces keeping close watch from across the Tigris, a flight of Typhoons were able to conduct a highly accurate attack late at night on Tuesday 14 February; two Paveway IVs demolished the target.

Immersion en opération Chammal – Episode 2

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Mise à jour : 14/02/2017

La mission pour un appui feu au cœur de Mossoul est confirmée. Deux Rafale composeront la patrouille. L’un sera équipé de quatre bombes à guidage laser type GBU 12, l’autre de quatre armements air/sol moyenne portée de type A2SM.

La veille des missions, la réunion technico-opérationnelle ou « Messe », sert à confronter contrainte technico-logistiques (disponibilité avions) aux impératifs des missions opérationnelles (armements, emports carburant, nacelle de reconnaissance…). Ce jour-là, toutes les spécialités qui « gravitent » autour de l’avion et qui œuvrent pour maintenir une disponibilité maximale sont représentées.

Service de Piste, Vecteurs, Moteurs, Avioniques, Armuriers, Servitudes, Structures, Informaticiens HARPAGON, Chef de site, tous concourent à la réussite de la mission et en connaissent parfaitement les enjeux. Ils sont encadrés par le Chef des services techniques (CST) et l’adjoint au Commandant du détachement Chasse (DETCHASSE) – qui est aussi à cette occasion le leader de la première mission planifiée pour le lendemain. Ce chef de patrouille, « Marco », affiche ses exigences en termes de configurations des avions, de nombre d’avions et de tours (rotations par jounée). Aucun problème, « la mécanique » saura faire face à ce genre d’impératif au prix d’une nuit active pendant laquelle les spécialistes se relaieront. C’est d’ailleurs « une question d’honneur » d’y répondre devant la pression opérationnelle subie par les « cochers ».

Ce soir-là, la réunion se poursuit entre mécaniciens pour l’ensemble des aéronefs stationnés sur le théâtre, en étudiant les origines des pannes non-reproduites au sol, le rappel des procédures d’insertion de clés de cryptage IFF (Identification friends or foes), la disponibilité d’ensemble, le ravitaillement logistique, le plan d’action pour la relève de certains Rafale…

21h00 : La mise en configuration des Rafale.

Après validation par le service de piste, les demandes de mises en configuration sont lancées. Les deux Rafale identifiés pour frapper le lendemain, feront l’objet de toutes les attentions. En l’occurrence, les armuriers devront adapter la configuration armement. Les « Pétafs » sont déjà présents sur le tarmac et s’activent. Quatre à cinq spécialistes sont nécessaires pour fixer l’ensemble des GBU et A2SM sous voilure. Les Sergent-chef Mathieu et Romain suivis par deux camarades sont de la partie. Chacun connaît ses actions sur le bout des doigts. Le chef d’équipe sur l’opération, aux commandes de son chariot élévateur SOVAM, coordonne et vérifie toutes les tâches. Procédures suivies pas à pas, gestuelle maîtrisée, orchestrent une opération pointue mais maîtrisée, notamment lorsqu’il s’agit de faire la guerre.

Au-delà des aspects techniques, qu’il s’agisse de la réunion technico-opérationnelle de la maintenance ou encore de la configuration armement des avions, ces étapes dans la préparation d’une mission fédèrent tous les hommes autour d’un objectif commun, facteur de cohésion.

La suite : Un repos indispensable pour nos pilotes afin d’assurer le succès de leur future mission, tandis que les activités opérationnelles continuent…

À suivre…