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380AEW Article

Coalition Airpower paves the way

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ashley Walker
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
On July 13, the Iraqi forces kicked off a major campaign to push Daesh out of the Anbar Province. A network of Coalition Airmen supported the Iraqi forces with airpower during the campaign. This was a thoroughly calculated and coordinated response to ISIL's capture of Ramadi, Iraq back in May.

Daesh used Mosul as a base from which it can threaten Iraqi Kurds in the north, as well as southern Iraqi cities such as Baghdad, Tikrit, Ramadi and Samarra.

Coalition airpower has carried out strikes for nearly a year to enable Iraqi government and security forces the time necessary to prepare and execute sustained counter-Daesh offensives. Through training and successive campaign strikes, those nations have shown a continued commitment to regional security and stability.

Since the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve Coalition sorties have flown over 43,700 sorties in support of anti-Daesh ground forces.

“When we think of the effect the U.S. Air Force has in a region we certainly give credit and respect to our pilots,” said Col. Johnny Barnes, Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander. “But pilots are only a small fraction of the team. It takes all of our Airmen from all career fields to launch sorties and sustain an air campaign.

“Bearing in mind that what we do is far more important than the Super Bowl, I compare our organization to a championship football team. You can’t win with only the quarterbacks, receivers, and running backs. You have to have the linemen blocking; you have to have the trainers keeping the players in good working condition; you have to have the equipment managers to provide the cleats, helmets, jerseys, and pads,” Barnes added. “It takes the entire support team to function before that running back can score … and it takes the entire Air Force team to function before we can provide the air strikes to assist our Iraqi compatriots in their quest to defeat Daesh.”

In a statement July 14, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said the Department of Defense stands ready to defend the United States. “Our military -- including tens of thousands of U.S. forces in the Middle East -- are full speed ahead maintaining a strong presence in the Gulf. We remain prepared and postured to bolster the security of our friends and allies in the region,” he said.

The Coalition currently has various fighter, bomber, refueling, intelligence, and surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft from nations across the globe supporting the ongoing campaign against Daesh.

“Daesh’s ideology is abhorrent to civilized humanity. They consider themselves entirely justified in their practices of murder, torture, rape, and human trafficking. We are proud to be part of a wider international community dedicated to the defeat of [Daesh] and its maniacal beliefs,” said Barnes.

All of our accomplishments are possible because of how this wing comes together to make these airstrikes possible. Every Airman has an important role. No matter their job, their daily commitment to excellence makes a difference in this wing and subsequently the larger Coalition air campaign.”