US forces fire satellite-guided missile in Iraq: military

TIKRIT, Iraq (AFP) Nov 16, 2003
US forces Sunday fired a satellite-guided missile in northern Iraq, for the first time since the end of major combat, targeting a site used by suspected anti-coalition forces, a military spokesman said.

"An Army Tactical Missile System (ATACS) ... was fired at noon today at a former regime training area," 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Kirkuk, said Lieutenant Colonel Bill MacDonald.

He said the weapon hit the target, but that it was not immediately clear whether there were casualties or what the extent of the damage was.

The missile, guided by global positioning system, was fired from Taji, just outside Baghdad, 220 kilometers (about 140 miles) away.

"It is the first time since the end of major combat that munition of this type has been utilized," said MacDonald.

Washington declared an end to major hostilities on May 1.

SPACE.WIRE