According to US Air Forces Central Command data, the US-led coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq and Afghanistan has dropped 5,075 bombs during close-air-support, escort, or interdiction operations in August alone.

That total was the highest of any month during the three-year campaign against the terrorist group. Each of first eight months of 2017 has exceeded the amount of bombs dropped in any other month of the campaign. The number of bombs released through the first eight months of 2017 comes in at 32,801, surpassing the number of bombs dropped through all of last year, which was the previous annual high for the campaign.

United States Air Force Central Command reported the following about the epic month:

Coalition airpower continued its annihilation of ISIS, releasing more than 5,075 weapons, the most of any month in the three-year campaign to defeat ISIS. The majority of weapons released were for dynamic strikes supporting partner ground forces’ successful liberation of Tal Afar and the ongoing fight for Raqqah. August also marked the highest weekly total of weapons employed in OIR, with 1,471 weapons released the week of Aug. 18-24, the vast majority of those precision-guided munitions (PGMs).

On Aug. 31, Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Abadi declared Tal Afar and Ninewah Province fully liberated after Iraqi Security Forces cleared the towns of Quala Bush and Al Avghani/Ayadia. Prior to the 12-day Iraqi-led offensive, Coalition planners used layered intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to analyze patterns of life and develop a detailed understanding of ISIS targets in the area. Prior to the offensive, precision strikes successfully struck hundreds of these targets, shaping the battlefield for our Iraqi partner’s and minimizing their loses. In addition to the pre-offensive shaping strikes, Coalition aircraft employed more 800 weapons during the 12-day fight in support of operations.

In Raqqah, Coalition aircraft flew approximately 600 strike sorties employing nearly 2,500 PGMs in support of Syrian Democratic Forces as they continued a nearly three-month fight to liberate the city from ISIS. Along with the close fight in support of partner ground forces, Coalition aircraft continued the deep fight to disrupt ISIS warfighting capabilities and revenue sources. In August, Coalition aircraft employed more than 600 weapons against oil targets decreasing ISIS revenues more than 50

percent per month since the start of operations against this target set.



August concluded with the Coalition intervening to halt a 17-bus convoy carrying between 300 and 500 ISIS fighters and their families across Syria towards ISIS-held territory near Deir al Zour, after Lebanese Hezbollah and the Syrian Regime struck a deal to move the surrendered fighters away from Lebanon. The Coalition does not see the transfer of ISIS as a lasting solution as it only makes it someone else’s problem, namely the Iraqis and Coalition partner ground forces fighting ISIS in those areas. To prevent their passage, Coalition aircraft conducted more than 50 strikes the last two days of August to prevent the convoy from reaching its destination, destroying dozens of armed and armored trucks and trailers, fuel trucks, staging areas, and roads and bridges to deny passage. In accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict, the Coalition has not struck non-combatants traveling with the convoy, and offered options to allow safe transit for the women and children.

Operation Freedom’s Sentinel & Resolute Support Mission – advising Afghan Air Forces & countering terrorism In August, the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, the Triple Nickel, surpassed 555 bombs dropped and have now employed more than 600 weapons against ISIS-Khorasan and Taliban targets. August heralded the arrival of additional F-16s to bolster the ability to conduct kinetic strikes and overwatch of friendly ground forces.

The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron conducted the first combat airdrop in Afghanistan in more than two years. The airdrop resupplied coalition ground forces and minimized risk to aircraft by avoiding the need to land at dangerous airfields. Additionally, the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron exercised with an Army Combat Aviation Brigade at Bagram and familiarized their Pararescue Airmen with the CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The training enhanced interoperability and educated 83th ERQS Airmen on army tactics and techniques.

Lastly, the Afghan Air Force expanded their airdrop capabilities by conducting their first operational night drop on Aug. 22 using their C-208. The AAF also held a targeting exercise, or TTX, to introduce senior Afghan leadership to the concept and benefits of a targeting validation board. The TTX was well received and a successful first step toward establishment of a formal targeting board.

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