Air Force F-16 airstrike kills al-Zarqawi

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COMBINED AIR OPERATIONS CENTER, Southwest Asia (AFPN) --  Two U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons, supporting coalition actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom, dropped precision munitions near Baquba, Iraq, on June 7, killing al Qaida’s leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and other terrorists.

The aircraft, assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces, dropped two precision-guided 500-pound bombs, a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb and a GBU-38 joint direct attack munition, destroying an isolated terrorist safe house, where al-Zarqawi and other terrorists were meeting.

“The death of al-Zarqawi, and his accomplices, is a tremendous success for the Iraqi people and the coalition forces in the collective fight against al-Qaida in Iraq and the war on terror,” said Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces.

U.S. and coalition military aircrews, aircraft and support personnel provide 24/7 air and space power in support of coalition ground forces. Close-air support, air refueling, airlift, aeromedical evacuation, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and remotely piloted vehicles have provided critical air component support to U.S. Central Command ground and naval forces during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

“As clearly stated by Prime Minister Maliki, every time a Zarqawi appears, we will kill him,” General North said. “Although this is a time for celebration, let it be clear to all terrorists that our efforts continue, and we will not rest until they have been captured or killed and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan enjoy the freedom they deserve.”