Senior leaders reflect on OIR: One year against Daesh

Coalition aircraft conducted the first strikes against Daesh, more commonly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, on Aug. 8, 2014. Exactly one year later, senior leaders reflect on the successes and way forward for Operation Inherent Resolve.

While Coalition air power patrols the skies, ground forces continue to train and equip vetted local forces in Iraq.  Efforts to build partner capacities and assist with ongoing operations involve around 3,550 American personnel in Iraq.  Although training for New Syrian Forces is still in the early stages, progress continues as Anti-Daesh Forces on the ground continue effective offensives in Northern Syria.

Senior leaders note the advise-and-assist teams have been especially invaluable in providing their expertise to the Iraqi Security Forces headquarters and operation centers.  Coalition advisers have assisted the Iraqi Security Forces in operational planning, with military subject matter experts working side by side with their Iraqi counterparts.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said in late July that bolstering Iraq’s security forces and building moderate, vetted Syrian opposition forces is essential to enabling the two countries to defeat Daesh and work to establish peace within their own countries. 

“We can help them. We can enable them. We can train them. We can equip them. We can support them,” he said. “But we can't substitute for them. Because we don't live here … we can't keep them beaten. Only the people who live here can keep them beaten.”

The air campaign continues to have success in striking Daesh facilities, vehicles and equipment, and it enables both the Iraqi Security Forces as well as anti-Daesh fighters in Syria, according to U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, the chief of staff for Combined Joint Task Force-Operating Inherent Resolve.

“In my opinion, this is not the same fight as it was when it started, and I look at that based on the effects that we have had on ISIL,” Killea said.  “They are much more territorial, meaning they're defending more than they're on the offensive.  Their attacks are smaller, they are more focused, and they're less enduring, and all you have to do is look at the gains that have been made on the ground recently to see … there is an effect, and there is progress.”

Unlike Daesh, Killea said the Coalition works to address and minimize the possibility of collateral damage and civilian casualties.

“We have struck … staging areas and destroyed multiple ISIL armored personnel carriers and other vehicles,” Killea said.  “Coalition forces have also focused on destroying ISIL IED facilities.  Airstrikes have gone a long way to degrade ISIL's ability to mount large offensive attacks as well as reducing their ability to openly control towns and cities, where they so often inflict terror on those civilian populations,” he added.

Air Force Lt. Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Combined Force Air Component Commander, said American service members, and their Coalition partners, have conducted more than 5,900 airstrikes since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve. The airstrikes are intended to limit Daesh’s freedom of movement while constraining its ability to reinforce its fighters, and degrading its command and control. 

“We are doing some of the most important work in this region,” Brown said. “Our Coalition air power enables Anti-Daesh ground forces in Iraq and Syria.  The faster Daesh falls, the sooner innocent civilians can return to a peaceful way of life.”

The general also commended the Coalition on its ability to make precise strikes against Daesh targets while minimizing collateral damage on the ground and restricting freedom of movement for Daesh. Since the OIR campaign began on Aug. 8, 2014, there have been nearly 20,000 precision guided munitions, which equates to 99 percent precision guided weapons and 1 percent unguided. 

“Coalition airstrikes are the most precise in the history of warfare,” he said.  “Conducting strikes in heavily populated areas where Daesh hides can present a challenge, but our Coalition pilots are well disciplined and our weapon systems are extremely accurate.

“Daesh continues this tactic of hiding among civilian populations; however, as friendly ground forces advance into an area, Daesh members are flushed out into the open and once again susceptible to our targeting,” said Brown.  “We can redirect the enemy’s advances or retreats.  They can no longer travel using large vehicle convoys. They must now travel discretely to conceal their movement, or risk Coalition airstrikes. Even our combat air patrols, merely the presence of Coalition aircraft in an area, also affect their freedom of movement.

“And one year into this Coalition effort to rid the world of these Daesh terrorists, the team can be proud of what they’ve accomplished.  Their hard work and sacrifice have already saved countless lives and we will not stop until we have defeated this barbaric enemy,” said Brown.