United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq with F/A-18 fighter against ISIL terrorists 0908142

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Defence & Security News - United States

 
 
Saturday, August 9, 2014 09:42 AM
 
United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq with F/A-18 fighter against ISIL terrorists.
The U.S. military conducted a targeted airstrike August 8, 2014, with two F/A-18 fighter against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in northern Iraq, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement.
     
VIDEO released by U.S. central command about F/A-18 airstrikes in Iraq, August 8, 2014.
     
The decision to strike was made by Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of U.S. Central Command, under authorization granted him by the commander in chief, the admiral said.

“As the president made clear, the United States military will continue to take direct action against ISIL when they threaten our personnel and facilities,” he added.

The first attack occurred about 6:45 a.m. EDT when two F/A-18 aircraft dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece near Irbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan region. ISIL was using this artillery to shell Kurdish forces defending the city, where U.S. personnel are located.

Two additional air strikes occurred later in the day, the last at about 11:20 a.m. EDT when four F/A-18 aircraft successfully struck a stationary ISIL convoy of seven vehicles and a mortar position near Irbil, neutralizing the mortar and convoy.

     
     
F/A-18 Super Hornets are recovered aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) while underway in the Arabian Gulf. Bush is operating in the Arabian Gulf on a scheduled deployment to U.S. 5th Fleet. .

The president has authorized U.S. Central Command to conduct military operations in support of humanitarian aid deliveries and targeted airstrikes in Iraq to protect U.S. personnel and interests, in response to activities conducted by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists. U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David Lee.