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BAGHDAD, July 18 (KUNA) -- US fighter jets launched on Monday air attacks on locations suspected of being hideouts of insurgents in Rawa village, western Iraq. Both Iraqi and US forces took part in the un-named mission, launched early on Monday. Eyewitnesses said the US military launched a wide-scale operation in a number of locations in Rawa village, in Al-Anbar constituency. In another development, Iraqi security forces found a large weapon hideout in Mosul, north of Iraq, an Iraqi official said. The hideout included a large quantity of missiles, communication devices, military uniforms, knives and swords, the official added.

KALSU, Iraq (July 13, 2005) -- The AH-64A Apache is the U.S. Army’s principal attack helicopter. It’s equipped with some of the latest avionics and electronics and can be operated almost anytime, in almost any weather, day or night. Here since April and flying the Apache, Task Force 1/151st Aviation Attack Battalion patrols Iraqi air from a small post south of Baghdad. The unit also provides convoy security and protection for warfighters on the ground. And while the unit supports the mission of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), the firepower they can bring to the fight would be of...

6/20/2005 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle destroyed an anti-Iraqi forces mortar launch site near Al Qaim on June 18 while assisting Marines under enemy fire. The air strike occurred during Operation Spear in which U.S. and Iraqi security forces in Iraq’s Anbar province called in air strikes on terrorist strong holds. An Air Force joint terminal attack controller, whose unit on the ground was under mortar attack, saw imagery from a nearby Predator assigned to another mission and requested control of the unmanned aerial vehicle. After positive identification of the launch site, the Predator...

13th MEU embarks on final mission of pre-deployment work-ups Submitted by: 13th MEU Story Identification #: 2005610134415 Story by Cpl. Andy Hurt ABOARD THE USS TARAWA (LHA-1) (June 10, 2005) -- The sounds of anchor chains rumbled through the narrow halls of the USS Tarawa Wednesday morning, signaling the final at-sea period for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit during pre-deployment work-up training. The Special Operations Capable Exercise will determine whether the MEU is qualified to accomplish specialized amphibious operations while they endure the upcoming Western Pacific deployment, scheduled for mid-July through early 2006. Each element of the MEU, including MEU...

LATIFIYAH, Iraq (AP) - Hundreds of Iraqi and U.S. troops searched fields and farms Saturday for insurgents and their hideouts in an area south of Baghdad known for attacks, and the Marines said they discovered 50 weapons and ammunition caches and a huge underground bunker west of the capital fitted out with air conditioning, a kitchen and showers. The joint U.S.-Iraqi force operating in Latifiyah to the south was backed by American air power and said it had rounded up at least 108 Iraqis, mainly Sunnis, suspected of involvement in the brutal insurgent campaign to topple the Shiite-led government. To...

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, May 16, 2005 — The U.S. Air Force A-10s currently deployed at Bagram Airfield are part of the 23rd Fighter Group, the Flying Tigers, out of Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and are a unique group of aircraft - evident by just one look at their nose art. The noses of these A-10s are emblazoned with an image of a shark's teeth and eyes. The Flying Tigers are the only Air Force unit authorized to display nose art on their aircraft, due to the history it symbolizes. The Flying Tigers were first activated at Langley Field, Va.,...

Air Force Pilot Experiences Ground Combat Here is a report from an Air Force pilot who was assigned to several operations in Iraq as the Forward Air Controller - the USAF guy responsible for calling in Air Strikes and communicating with the aircraft above a ground combat mission. It's long, but it's good. It shows the Zoomies are doing their part on the ground, as well as in the air...even if they don't know certain *ahem* unofficial Marine nomenclatures.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S. Marine was killed as American and Iraqi forces continued their offensive to hunt down insurgents in western Iraq, the U.S. military said on Friday. The Marine was killed on Thursday during security and stability operations, it said, without giving details. The death takes the number of U.S. soldiers killed in combat since the invasion of March 2003 to 1,129. U.S. and Iraqi forces began their offensive on Sunday in a bid to stamp out resistance in Iraq's vast western desert province of Anbar, one of the most lawless areas of the country. They stepped up...

Like a cat, the USAF’s A-10 continues to demonstrate additional lives after repeated efforts by the fighter generals to bury the ungainly but potent airplane. Lockheed Martin Systems Integration (Owego, NY) expects its first production contract in March for the A-10 Precision Engagement (PE) Program, which will give the A-10 – redesignated the A-10C once modified -- a precision-weapons capability, with several more production contracts to follow. In February 2004, Lockheed Martin was awarded an initial systems integration contract. The goal is to equip all 356 USAF A-10s with the upgrade by 2009. Lockheed Martin began the upgrade program under...

The newly designated C-model A-10 Thunderbolt II, modified with precision engagement technology, was flown for the first time at Eglin AFB, Fla., last week, thanks in large part to the work of a small group of people at Hill AFB. The A-10 Program Office here has been managing the precision engagement program for the past four years. The office’s precision engagement program management team, made up of about 25 people, acts as a liaison between Air Combat Command and the project’s prime contractor, Lockheed Martin Systems Integration. Calling the A-10C the “best friend to the boots on the ground,” Lt....

Several years ago, I met an officer who flew A-10s. He directed me to a site that depicted the support crew that made certain that his aircraft was combat ready. Can any of my fellow FReepers direct me to the A-10 support-ready Warthog site? Mechs checking the nose cannon, loading ordnance, etc. I'm attempting in gettin my 23 year old son to enlist in the United States Military, serving America in in whatever capacity he chooses. His eyesight is not flight-sight certifiable, but he is a big, strong intelligent kid!

Harrier squadrons combine in Iraq to provide air supportSubmitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Story Identification #: 20041224153725 Story by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte AL ASAD, Iraq (Dec. 24, 2004) -- The salt-stained jets streaked across the sky signaling the arrival of the newest squadron on the block. They were exhausted from a trans-Atlantic flight that started at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., and ended at Al Asad, Iraq in a few short days in mid-November. The "Tomcats" of Marine Attack Squadron 311, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, found their "welcome aboard" period short-lived as the...

AL ASAD AIRFIELD, Iraq, Dec. 14, 2004 – Aviation is continuing to play a part in mopping up insurgents in Fallujah, the commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said here today. Marine Maj. Gen. Keith J. Stalder commands about 9,000 Marine and Army troops based at this airfield between Baghdad and the Syrian border. He said aviation helped Marines and soldiers in the city with the combat they faced in retaking Fallujah and aviation continues to target the small pockets of insurgents that remain. "The wing is still flying missions -- mostly fixed-wing, but some rotary-wing missions as well,"...

Reserve pilots not reserved when protecting ground troops   by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs 10/4/2004 - BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- Ammunitions troops here charged with reloading a wingman’s A-10 Thunderbolt II Gatling gun had a busy night recently, following his return. New Orleans Air Force Reserve pilots proved that they are anything but reserved when it comes to protecting U.S. ground troops in Afghanistan. In defense of a U.S. military convoy, “S-flight 3” fired more than 800 rounds and two laser-guided bombs, destroying a hillside bunker and attacking enemy forces. Capt. Brian and his wingman, Major...

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE--Seven A-10 Warthogs brought a little desert sand home with them when they touched down Saturday at Eielson Air Force Base for the first time in almost six months. Though the long journey home provided the A-10s a chance to clean off some of the dust accumulated in Afghanistan, they were still due for a major cleaning and overhaul at the end of a busy 5 1/2-month deployment to Bagram Airbase near Kabul. "We were sitting next to jets in Boise (Idaho)," said Capt. Glenn "Shredder" Ott, an A-10 pilot and West Valley High School graduate. "Boise...

NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND7115 South Boundary BoulevardMacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 August 27, 2004Release Number: 04-08-83 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MNF-I OPERATIONS IN IRAQ 26-27 AUGUST 2004 BAGHDAD – In Operation Iraqi Freedom, coalition aircraft on Aug. 26 flew 46 strike sorties in Close Air Support (CAS) for Main Supply Routes (MSR) and Alternate Supply Routes (ASR), and for Troops in Contact (TIC) situations. U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft provided close air support to MNF troops in contact in the vicinity of An Najaf. A total of 14 munitions were...

  A-10 pods help track bad guys, protect friendly forces BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Capt. Keith Wolak checks the Litening precision targeting pod on his A-10 Thunderbolt II before flying a mission from here. He is an A-10 pilot assigned to the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates) Download HiRes Related Links • Litening pod system• A-10 Thunderbolt II by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs 6/4/2004 - BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN)  -- When lightning strikes, it affects the surrounding area. The same could be said of an...

KARBALA, Iraq (AP) - American AC-130 gunships and tanks battered militia positions early Friday near two shrines in the holy city of Karbala, killing 18 fighters loyal to a rebel cleric, the U.S. military said, while 450 Iraqis were released from the Abu Ghraib jail at the center of the prisoner abuse scandal. Four people were detained in the killing of American Nicholas Berg, whose decapitation was captured on videotape, but two had been released, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said Friday. An Iraqi security official said the group that killed the 26-year-old Pennsylvania man was led by a relative of...

Live videophone from our attack on Karbala. Helicopters, Bradleys, jets dropping 2000lb JDAMs.

"...Fighting around Najaf U.S. forces launched a major operation in southern Iraq late Tuesday, taking over the office of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Diwaniyah, a town along the Euphrates River about 40 miles east of the holy city of Najaf. It was the biggest operation against al-Sadr's militia since the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment arrived in the region in force last week, military officials said. They said an AC-130 gunship fired 40 mm rounds on the building. The military said its reconnaissance indicated more than a dozen militia members armed with AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades were inside. The...