Iraqi Launch of Hellfire Missile
As Iraqi Security Forces continue pushing forward in their proficiency, ranging from hand to hand-fighting techniques to weapons tactics and training, they advance as skilled defenders of their nation. With all the capabilities they continue to acquire, precision-guided aerial firepower is a significant asset for which they recognize a need. The use of the AGM-114 Hellfire missile begins a new age of air-strike capability for the Iraqi air force. IAF Squadron 3 tested their new weapon and left nothing but heaps of scrap metal and debris during a demonstration on shadow range aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2009. In a special collection, sldinfo.com has organized the core photos displaying this event.
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***Posted November 16th, 2009

![A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 carries a target to a range for a live fire exercise aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2009. Iraqi Air Force Squadron 3 used the target to test the AGM-114 Hellfire missile from their AC-208 Cessna Caravan aircraft. "What they developed was an AC-208 Cessna Caravan armed with Hellfire missiles and put an [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] pod on it, so it has the capability to do laser target designation," said Maj. Mark Franko, current operations officer with Marine Aircraft Group 26 (Reinforced). "[The Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission Air Force] wanted the Iraqis to validate and demonstrate the capability, and just like us, the [IAF] wanted to practice with a live missile."<em>Credit: II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd), Location: Al Asad Airbase, Iraq</em> CH-53E Super Stallion](http://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Photo11-150x150.jpg)
![A Marine guides a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 while performing an external lift of a target for a live fire exercise aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2009. Iraqi Air Force Squadron 3 used the target to test the AGM-114 Hellfire missile from their AC-208 Cessna Caravan aircraft. After months of preparation for the event, the stage was finally set for the demonstration, but the well being of civilian bystanders quickly halted the missile strikes on several occasions. "The first time we tried [to emplace the target], before [U.S. Marines] even left the target area, there were already [civilians] standing around [the target] wondering how they could use it," explained Franko. "The next day we had a support infrastructure in place to help clear the target and sweep the area."<em>Credit: II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd), Location: Al Asad Airbase, Iraq</em> Marine guides a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot](http://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Photo-2-150x150.jpg)

![<p>Utilizing various air and ground assets, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. forces kept watch over the impact area for anything out of place. The Iraqis continued their attempts to put shots on target, but with each try, something prevented them from firing. </p><p>"Right when we were about to take the shot, more [civilians] showed up on the target, and the Iraqis aborted their attempt, because obviously they didn't want to hurt anyone. That afternoon we cleared the range and just as the aircraft was about to take its shot, we noticed a motorcycle pull up next to the target and aborted that attempt as well," said Franko.</p><p>Iraqi army soldiers with Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Company, 7th Iraqi Army Division, worked as one security element for the exercise and took the lead in resolving the issue by safely escorting civilians off the range and explaining the inherent danger of wandering through the impact area.</p><p>Finally the test was held and here the AGM-114 Hellfire missile pierces the side of a target during an exercise on shadow range aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2009. The Hellfire gives Iraqi Air Force Squadron 3 precision guided missile strike capabilities from their AC-208 Cessna Caravan aircraft.</p><p><em>Credit: II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd), Location: Al Asad Airbase, Iraq</em></p> Test of AGM-114 Hellfire missile](http://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Photo-3-150x150.jpg)
