Britain carries out first air strikes against IS in Iraq: minister

AFP via Daily Star ^ | Sep. 30, 2014 | 07:41 PM

[GonzoII]

LONDON: Britain's Royal Air Force has carried out its first air strikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said on Tuesday.

[Uncle Miltie]

Phew! Take the next month off, boys!

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Interesting .. because as recently as yesterday and last evening, the RAF had flown 5 sorties
and never discharged any missles of bombs.
According to their rules of engagement, the target must be identified as ISIS, so as to minimize civilan casualties.

RAF jets strike first IS targets in Iraq
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29434628
Targets identified by Kurds as heavy weapons position and amored vehicle .

Meanwhile, the U.S. aid to Kurds is minimal, offering small arms and ammunition,
while the Kurds are getting pounded by ISIS artillery.
That makes as good sense as U.S. bombing buildings at night and breaking windows , and blowing up furniture,
rather than hitting them a 11:00Am while they are congregated and planning terrorism.
Under these rules of engagement , you have to wonder if the US role is any serious attempt to stop ISIS and terrorism,
or just going through the motions because it looks effective. Just more Kabuki theater .

[Grampa Dave]

The link below works and tells us that the planes took off from Cyprus and came back to Cyprus. That apparently took 7 hours. A long time in a confined cockpit.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11125538/RAF-planes-fly-first-combat-missions-over-Iraq.html