II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd)

Story by Cpl. Joshua Murray

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – As Iraqi Security Forces continue pushing forward in their proficiency, ranging from hand to hand fighting techniques to weapons tactics and training, they advance as skilled defenders of their nation. With all the capabilities they continue to acquire, precision guided aerial firepower is a significant asset for which they recognize a need. The use of the AGM-114 Hellfire missile begins a new age of air-strike capability for the Iraqi air force.

IAF Squadron 3 tested their new weapon and left nothing but heaps of scrap metal and debris during a demonstration on shadow range aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2009.

"What they developed was an AC-208 Cessna Caravan armed with Hellfire missiles and put an [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] pod on it, so it has the capability to do laser target designation," said Maj. Mark Franko, current operations officer with Marine Aircraft Group 26 (Reinforced). "[The Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission Air Force] wanted the Iraqis to validate and demonstrate the capability, and just like us, the [IAF] wanted to practice with a live missile."

After months of preparation for the event, the stage was finally set for the demonstration, but the well being of civilian bystanders quickly halted the missile strikes on several occasions.

"The first time we tried [to emplace the target], before [U.S. Marines] even left the target area, there were already [civilians] standing around [the target] wondering how they could use it," explained Franko. "The next day we had a support infrastructure in place to help clear the target and sweep the area."

Utilizing various air and ground assets, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. forces kept watch over the impact area for anything out of place. The Iraqis continued their attempts to put shots on target, but with each try, something prevented them from firing.

"Right when we were about to take the shot, more [civilians] showed up on the target, and the Iraqis aborted their attempt, because obviously they didn't want to hurt anyone. That afternoon we cleared the range and just as the aircraft was about to take its shot, we noticed a motorcycle pull up next to the target and aborted that attempt as well," said Franko.

Iraqi army soldiers with Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Company, 7th Iraqi Army Division, worked as one security element for the exercise and took the lead in resolving the issue by safely escorting civilians off the range and explaining the inherent danger of wandering through the impact area.

"We had three groups that interacted with the Bedouins," mentioned Capt. Nathan Fleischaker, operations advisor, Military Transition Team 7. "Two groups of two teams each were airborne – two teams in IAF helicopters, two teams in U.S. forces helicopters, and then a ground element that created a holding area and helped emplace the targets."

These teams were instrumental in completing the exercise successfully and without causing any civilian casualties by escorting the civilians to a safe location.

"The IA treated the Bedouins ... extremely well and very professionally across the board," said Fleischaker. "They emphasized that, while they were sorry for the inconvenience, and how [the civilians] were probably very scared to be escorted onto a helicopter, this was done for their safety."

After days of attempts, the IAF finally had their chance to launch the missile strike and witness firsthand the value of such a powerful asset. As U.S. forces have proved many times, precision strike capabilities can be a tide-turning element in combat, and now, if needed, the IAF can attest to the worth of the Hellfire on their battlefields.

Associated Images

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