Operation Northern Watch
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Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a US European Command Combined Task Force (CTF) charged with enforcing its own no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq. Its mission began on 1 January 1997.
The coalition partners of the United States, United Kingdom, and Turkey provided approximately 45 aircraft [1] and more than 1,400 personnel to support Operation Northern Watch. The joint U.S. forces of some 1,100 US personnel, included sailors, soldiers, as well as sorties from every arm of the Military of the United States, with the exception of the United States Coast Guard.
The original mandate from the Turkish government allowed the operation to continue for 6 months. Turkey subsequently approved two 6-month extensions, but indicated that it would not become a permanent mission.
The final combat air patrol occurred on March 17, 2003 (from the Incirlik Air Base). Six weeks later, the Operation concluded with an official stand down on May 1, 2003.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Global Security brief on Operation Northern Watch
- Operation Northern Watch Photo Album with captions
- U.S. Navy article on stand down
- Stars & Stripes article
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