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RAF planes use air-launched cruise missiles against ISIS for first time
RAF warplanes unleashed air-launched cruise missiles against Islamic State for the first time over the weekend, Defence sources revealed yesterday.
By JOHN INGHAM
00:01, Mon, Jun 27, 2016 | UPDATED: 22:45, Mon, Jun 27, 2016
The Storm Shadows were used against ISIS for the first time by the RAF
Two RAF Tornados flying from RAF air base Akrotiri in Cyprus destroyed a huge bunker complex being used by IS or Daesh in western Iraq.
They fired four 2,800lb Storm Shadows into the IS weapons store which was protected by thick reinforced concrete walls built during Saddam Hussein's dictatorial rule.
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An RAF source said: "Intelligence had determined that Daesh were using a large concrete bunker in western Iraq as a weapons facility.
All four Storm Shadows scored direct hits and penetrated deep within the bunker
RAF source:
"Due to the massive construction, built during the Saddam era, it was decided to use four Storm Shadow missiles against it, as the weapon has particularly good capabilities against such a challenging target.
"The missiles were launched on Sunday 26 June by two Tornados, all four Storm Shadows scored direct hits and penetrated deep within the bunker."
The attack is part of a continuing US-led air offensive against IS which has seen the RAF bomb 101 targets in Falliujah in support of the Iraqi offensive to liberate the city.
Close: Akrotiri is just 60 miles from Syria and close to Iraq
The Iraqi Government says Fallujah, which is just 30 miles from Baghdad, is close to being completely retaken.
Meanwhile Typhoons also based in Cyprus attacked IS positions in northwest Syria near the Turkish border, destroying two buildings.
In the past few days RAF Tornados, Typhoons and Reaper drones have continued the campaign in Iraq, destroying IS machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade teams, anti-aircraft missiles, a van loaded with weapons and ammunition, a team of terrorists laying roadside bombs and a smaller. bunker.
They have hit the enemy with Paveway IV and GBU-12 guided bombs and Brimstone and Hellfire missiles.
On Friday a Reaper supported an Iraqi offensive west of Kirkuk in northern Iraq.
Its crew used a Hellfire missile to destroy an engineering vehicle which was building defences ahead of the Iraqi advance.
Earlier this month Defence Secretary Michael Fallon branded IS "a failing proposition".
The missiles were used to attack a large ISIS weapons store. source :MOD
He said the terror outfit has lost nearly half the territory it seized in Iraq and is being battered in its Syrian strongholds around Raqqa.
Air raids by the U. S, British and coalition air Forces has destroyed £550million of its cash stockpile.
But Mr Fallon admitted the fight against IS "will neither be short nor straightforward".
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world...d-cruise-missiles-ISIS-Islamic-State-Daesh-IS
RAF warplanes unleashed air-launched cruise missiles against Islamic State for the first time over the weekend, Defence sources revealed yesterday.
By JOHN INGHAM
00:01, Mon, Jun 27, 2016 | UPDATED: 22:45, Mon, Jun 27, 2016
The Storm Shadows were used against ISIS for the first time by the RAF
Two RAF Tornados flying from RAF air base Akrotiri in Cyprus destroyed a huge bunker complex being used by IS or Daesh in western Iraq.
They fired four 2,800lb Storm Shadows into the IS weapons store which was protected by thick reinforced concrete walls built during Saddam Hussein's dictatorial rule.
RELATED ARTICLES
WATCH: Devastating RAF Brimstone strike destroys ISIS truck bombs
An RAF source said: "Intelligence had determined that Daesh were using a large concrete bunker in western Iraq as a weapons facility.
All four Storm Shadows scored direct hits and penetrated deep within the bunker
RAF source:
"Due to the massive construction, built during the Saddam era, it was decided to use four Storm Shadow missiles against it, as the weapon has particularly good capabilities against such a challenging target.
"The missiles were launched on Sunday 26 June by two Tornados, all four Storm Shadows scored direct hits and penetrated deep within the bunker."
The attack is part of a continuing US-led air offensive against IS which has seen the RAF bomb 101 targets in Falliujah in support of the Iraqi offensive to liberate the city.
Close: Akrotiri is just 60 miles from Syria and close to Iraq
The Iraqi Government says Fallujah, which is just 30 miles from Baghdad, is close to being completely retaken.
Meanwhile Typhoons also based in Cyprus attacked IS positions in northwest Syria near the Turkish border, destroying two buildings.
In the past few days RAF Tornados, Typhoons and Reaper drones have continued the campaign in Iraq, destroying IS machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade teams, anti-aircraft missiles, a van loaded with weapons and ammunition, a team of terrorists laying roadside bombs and a smaller. bunker.
They have hit the enemy with Paveway IV and GBU-12 guided bombs and Brimstone and Hellfire missiles.
On Friday a Reaper supported an Iraqi offensive west of Kirkuk in northern Iraq.
Its crew used a Hellfire missile to destroy an engineering vehicle which was building defences ahead of the Iraqi advance.
Earlier this month Defence Secretary Michael Fallon branded IS "a failing proposition".
The missiles were used to attack a large ISIS weapons store. source :MOD
He said the terror outfit has lost nearly half the territory it seized in Iraq and is being battered in its Syrian strongholds around Raqqa.
Air raids by the U. S, British and coalition air Forces has destroyed £550million of its cash stockpile.
But Mr Fallon admitted the fight against IS "will neither be short nor straightforward".
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world...d-cruise-missiles-ISIS-Islamic-State-Daesh-IS
Still a rugged workhorse.
