Tag-Teaming Tangos

The operator of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) spotted several individuals emplacing and IED. That led to a team of two Apache gunships being sent to deal with the insurgents. The result, Dead Tangos thanks to a great tag team effort:

BAGHDAD – An Apache air weapons team killed four insurgents emplacing an improvised explosive device on a dirt road south of Yusufiyah Jan 6.

An unmanned aerial vehicle initially spotted the individuals emplacing the IED, and then observed them cross a foot bridge and hide in reeds nearby.

The air weapons team from 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, consisting of two AH-64 Apache helicopters, was called in to engage the insurgents. The pilots were able to identify the targets with the help of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

The Apache helicopters fired a Hellfire missile and 30 mm rounds, killing the IED emplacers.

“It’s good to see how my job fits into the larger picture and helps the air assets to successfully take out the target,” said Spc. Matthew Westhoff, from Jacksonville, Fla., mission commander for the UAV, Company B, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Now that's combined air assets at work.