Balad F-16s destroy terrorist training camp

  • Published
  • By Maj. Robert Couse-Baker
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq --  Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing destroyed an al-Qaeda training camp southwest of Baghdad Saturday.

In a coordinated attack, Air Force joint air terminal controllers on the ground cleared seven F-16s to drop precision guided bombs on the terror complex near Karbala. The precision guided weapons destroyed the target, degrading al-Qaeda's ability to mount attacks on the Iraqi government, coalition forces and innocent civilians.

"I could not be prouder of the way our Airmen performed on Saturday. The events of this past weekend once again demonstrate the Air Force's ability to deliver decisive combat airpower any place and at any time," said Col. Charles Moore, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group commander.

The destruction of the terrorist facility is part of aggressive and comprehensive operations to hunt down, capture or kill terrorists trying to prevent a peaceful and stable Iraq, Colonel Moore said.

"Our Airmen and other coalition forces are helping Iraq achieve a stable government and ultimately, helping the United States and our allies to defeat terrorism," he said.

A large part of the 332nd AEW's combat effectiveness stems from the Air Force's culture of excellence.

Capt. Kevin Hicok, a pilot with the 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed here from Misawa Air Base, Japan, said, "We train day-to-day to make sure when we are called upon to deliver, we do it with precision and professionalism."

"Deliberate coordination and careful planning goes into every weapons drop," Captain Hicok said, "to ensure that we have a positive ID on the target and that everyone is on the same page."

The recent increase in air operations is part of the coalition's increasing pressure on violent extremists, primarily in Baghdad and nearby areas.

In a separate air strike north of Baghdad Sunday, another F-16 from Balad dropped a precision-guided weapon on a terrorist weapons cache in a rural area, destroying it and detonating the explosives stored inside.