At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Oct. 5, 2002 -- An F/A-18E “Super Hornet” assigned to the “Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron One One Five (VFA 115) prepares to launch from one of four steam driven catapults on the ship’s flight deck. The “Super Hornet” is about 25% larger than its predecessor, the F/A-18C/D, but contains 42% fewer structural parts. The single-seat F/A-18E flies greater ranges with heavier payloads, has a more powerful engine, and provides greater survivability. Lincoln and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One Four (CVW-14) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Philip A. McDaniel.
In response to hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, Operation Southern Watch aircraft, including the Super Hornets from the Abraham Lincoln, used precision-guided weapons to target two surface-to-air missile systems (SAM), and a command and control communications facility.
The SAM systems were near Al Kut, approximately 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. The command and control facility was near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad. The strikes occurred at about 6:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday.
Target battle damage assessment is ongoing.
Coalition strikes in the no-fly zones are executed as a self-defense measure in response to Iraqi hostile threats and acts against coalition forces and their aircraft. Today’s strike came after Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery at coalition aircraft in the southern no-fly zone and moved the SAM systems into the no-fly zone in violation of U.N. resolutions.
The last coalition strikes in the southern no-fly zone were Oct. 22 against a command and control communications facility near Al Jarrah, and an air defense operations center near Tallil.
Coalition aircraft never target civilian populations or infrastructure, and go to painstaking lengths to avoid injury to civilians and damage to civilian facilities.