Air Force fighter aircraft pilots helped apprehend three suspected insurgents accused of mortaring Balad Air Base, Iraq, March 16.

The pilots, who flew two F-15E Strike Eagles with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, were on a close-air-support mission near Balad when mortars were detected by the base’s Joint Defense Operation Center.

The JDOC is charged with overseeing the integrated defense of Balad Air Base and Logistical Support Area Anaconda. It is staffed by Airmen and Soldiers, and it uses a variety of sensors and tactical surveillance to monitor inside the installation perimeter and surrounding area.

After the attack, the JDOC quickly calculated the point of origin of the mortar launch and immediately relayed the coordinates to the aircrews, who moved to that location.

The aircrews, using their electro-optical and infrared (day/night) sensor capability, quickly located three individuals fleeing in a vehicle from the area where the mortars originated.

The aircrews continued to monitor the vehicle until it stopped at a house. They then relayed the location of the house to the JDOC. Army Task Force 3-29, 101st Airborne Division (Assault), moved in to check out the location.

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle remained over the area, guiding Soldiers from TF 3-29 to the location. Shortly after the Soldiers arrived, three suspects were detained. Initial field tests on the subjects indicated chemical explosive residue was present on all three.

“This engagement is an exceptional example of how air forces are contributing to the counterinsurgency campaign -- in this case by the overwhelming advantage we have in the innovative use of fighter aircraft for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,” said Royal Air Force Air Commodore Ray Lock, Combined Air Operations Center director.

“This increased ‘eye-in-the-sky’ capability and the speed with which we can pass information around the battlefield are real force multipliers,” Commodore Lock said. “The nature of this engagement is becoming the norm as we meld joint capabilities together -- whether it be to locate insurgents, vector in ground forces to capture them or even to take strike action, the results show the tremendous impact that can be delivered by modern air power.”

(Courtesy of Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs)