Coalition UAVs and airpower take leading role in Basra battle

US and UK intelligence, surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance (ISTAR) assets have been at the forefront of a six-day battle between government and militia forces in Iraq's second city of Basra, which left more than 100 civilians, troops and rebels dead, according to a coalition spokesman.

US Air Force (USAF) General Atomics MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and British Army Elbit Hermes 450 UAVs operated over the city continuously during the battles, according to a coalition military spokesman. US and UK special forces detachments working alongside the Iraqi military command in Basra were able to view imagery of militia activity from the UAVs on L-3 Communications ROVER III (remotely operated video enhanced receiver) terminals. US special forces joint terminal attack co-ordination (JTAC) teams working with frontline government troops also used the terminals to direct a series of air strikes on militia positions, according to the US military command in Iraq.

Throughout the six days, US and UK fighter aircraft were overhead to provide shows of force to deter militia fighters. RAF Panavia Tornado GR.4s from 13 Squadron conducted a strafing attack with their 27 mm cannon against militia fighters in Basra on 25 March, the opening day of the battle. On 27 March US Navy Boeing F/A-18C Hornet and F/A-18E Super Hornets flying from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman carried out more strafing attacks in Basra. On 28 March a USAF MQ-1B destroyed a militia mortar emplacement with a Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire missile. 247 of 558 words