POSSIBLE SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE ATTACK AGAINST

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000217 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DSS/DS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2016 TAGS: ASEC IZ SUBJECT: POSSIBLE SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE ATTACK AGAINST COALITION AIRCRAFT Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission David M. Satterfield for Reason 1.4 (b). ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: On January 23, 2006 at about 1411 hours local time, a possible surface-to-air missile (SAM) was fired at a Coalition aircraft eight miles southwest of Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). Countermeasures were deployed and a possible detonation 100 meters from the aircraft was reported. There were no injuries to crew or damage to the aircraft. The aircraft continued on to Kuwait without further incident. END SUMMARY. -------------- Attack Sequence -------------- ¶2. (S) A United States Air Force C-12 aircraft (twin engine turbo propeller passenger aircraft) call sign, Pat 24 (Tail # 40325) was set to transport four passengers from BIAP to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait on January 23, 2006. The aircraft departed Ali Al Salem at 0930 hours local time and arrived at BIAP at 1100 hours to pick up U.S. military passengers. The aircraft was scheduled to return at 1200. The crew waited for hours, but the passengers did not show up and the aircraft departed BIAP at 1407 hours. ¶3. (S) At approximately 1411 hours, the crew received a missile alert on the Common Missile Warning System. They received indications of a missile approaching the left rear of the aircraft. The aircraft was at 5,800 feet and traveling at 160 knots. The system dispensed 15 flares or chaff. After the flares dispensed, the pilots heard and felt the concussion of an explosion on the left side of the aircraft. The pilot's estimate is that the explosion was approximately 100 meters from the aircraft. There were no injuries or damage, and the aircraft returned to Ali Al Salem without further incident. -------------- Past Incidents -------------- ¶4. (S) On January 16, 2006 at about 0820 hours local time, a U.S. Army AH-64 attack helicopter was shot down by a SAM in Northern Baghdad. Both crew members were killed, and the helicopter was destroyed. In the past six months there have been six other SAM attacks against Coalition aircraft in Iraq. With the exception of the January 16 deadly attack, there have been neither crew injuries nor damage to any of the aircraft. -------------- RSO and Military Response -------------- ¶5. (S) The RSO is working in close coordination with the Multinational Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) Strategic Operations Center (SOC) to assess the type of missile which may have been fired, by whom it was fired, and its launch site and to monitor any developing trends. In addition, MNF-I is reviewing the current "Safe Sky" status for possible readjustment, BIAP arrival/departure schedules for the next several days, and whether to reschedule or restrict flight operations in and out of BIAP. Increased patrols, sweeps, and cordon operations in the vicinity of the suspected launch site are being coordinated by MNF-I. Also, MNF-I is coordinating with BIAP Air Traffic Control a temporary traffic avoidance of the area where the SAM originated until a full assessment is complete. ¶6. (U) Any new information will be sent via separate cable. KHALILZAD