Military

Shock and Awe: US-Led Coalition Has Launched Almost 35,000 Airstrikes Against ISIS

December 4, 2020Coffee or Die
A pair of U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fly over northern Iraq early in the morning of Sept. 23, 2014, after conducting airstrikes in Syria. These aircraft were part of a large coalition strike package that was the first to strike ISIL targets in Syria. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch/Released)

A pair of U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fly over northern Iraq early in the morning of Sept. 23, 2014, after conducting airstrikes in Syria. These aircraft were part of a large coalition strike package that was the first to strike ISIL targets in Syria. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch/Released)

This article was originally published Nov. 18, 2020, on Sandboxx News. Follow Sandboxx News on Instagram


Since 2014, when the Islamic State, or ISIS, began its campaign of terror in earnest, the US military and its allies and partners have conducted almost an astounding 35,000 airstrikes against the terrorist organization.


More specifically, from August 2014 to September 2020, the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) launched 34,917 airstrikes, according to data obtained by the Military Times. In the almost two months that have elapsed since the reported data, it’s reasonable to assume that the airstrikes have crossed the 35,000 line.


The CJTF-OIR, which at times has included more than 30 nations, didn’t disclose the kind of aircraft nor the type of ordnance used. From open sources, we know that the airstrikes have predominately been carried out by an assortment of aircraft, including F-15E Strike Eagles, F/A-18 Super Hornets, F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning IIs (both the Air Force’s A variant and the Marine Corps’ B variant), F-16 Fighting Falcons, Tornado GR4s, Rafales, Mirage 2000s, Super Etendards, Eurofighters,  A-10 Warthogs, B-1 Lancers, B-52 Stratorfortresses, and MQ-9 Reaper drones.


A B-52 Stratofortress displaying its impressive arsenal. US Air Force photo.

In 2014 and 2015, ISIS conducted a blitzkrieg campaign that even threatened Baghdad. It had more than 40,000 fighters and controlled almost 43 thousand square miles. Big and strategic cities that US and Coalition forces had fought so hard for during the insurgency were falling one after the other. ISIS fighters captured Raqqa, Mosul, Fallujah, and Ramadi, among other smaller hubs.


As a result, by January 2015, the US military had already conducted 16,000 airstrikes in an attempt to stem ISIS’s advance. Then, utilizing the same recipe that the US military had used in the initial days of the war in Afghanistan, the US-led coalition began pushing ISIS back. Special operations troops guiding airpower and partnered with local forces defeated ISIS.



“Despite the territorial defeat of ISIS, the degradation of its leadership, and the widespread refutation of its ideology, this violent Islamist extremist group still poses a threat,” said Marine Captain Jose Uriarte, a CJTF spokesperson, to the Military Times.


In the first two weeks of November alone, coalition and partner units conducted 29 operations against ISIS, capturing or killing 17 low and middle level leaders and 26 fighters. In October, the coalition and its partners conducted 100 operations, capturing or killing 67 low and middle level leaders and 41 fighters.


The current US footprint in Syria is limited to a few thousand troops (mechanized, infantry, and special operations) that assist the SDF in its fight against the remnants of the terrorist group.


“Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) continues to work by, with, and through our local partners in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh,” added Captain Uriarte.


Since 2014, the anti-ISIS coalition has divested $5 billion worth of materiel to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Iraqi military and law enforcement.



Coffee or Die
Coffee or Die

Coffee or Die is Black Rifle Coffee Company’s online lifestyle magazine. Launched in June 2018, the magazine covers a variety of topics that generally focus on the people, places, or things that are interesting, entertaining, or informative to America’s coffee drinkers — often going to dangerous or austere locations to report those stories.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
dear jack mandaville
Dear Jack: Which Historic Battle Would You Want To Witness?

Ever wonder how much Jack Mandaville would f*ck sh*t up if he went back in time? The American Revolution didn't even see him coming.

west point time capsule
West Point Time Capsule Yields Centuries-Old Coins

A nearly 200-year-old West Point time capsule that at first appeared to yield little more than dust contains hidden treasure, the US Military Academy said.

Ouija Board aircraft carrier
Low-Tech ‘Ouija Boards’ Have Helped Aircraft Carriers Operate for Decades

Since the 1920s, a low-tech tabletop replica of an aircraft carrier’s flight deck has been an essential tool in coordinating air operations.

Army vs. Navy mascot
The Navy Goat vs. the Army Mule: Mascot Origin Stories

For nearly as long as the Army-Navy football rivalry, the academies’ hoofed mascots have stared each other down from the sidelines. Here are their stories.

ukraine long-range weapon
Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Has Developed a Long-Range Weapon, a Day After Strike Deep Inside Russia

Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel the weapon was produced by Ukraine’s Ministry of Strategic Industries but gave no other details.

ambush
7 of the Best Movie Ambush Scenes of All Time

Ambushes make for great action scenes. Here are seven of the best to ever grace the big screen.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, with his daughter, center right, reportedly named Ju Ae, review the honor guard during their visit to the navy headquarter in North Korea
North Korea Launches Missile Toward Sea After US Flies Bomber During Drills

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the launch occurred Wednesday but gave no further details, such as how far the missile flew.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
Contact Us
© 2023 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved