Last Combat Mission of Iraq War

The combat force of 14 F/A-18 Hornets from No 75 Squadron, which the Air Force contributed to the operation to overthrow Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, flew its last combat mission of the war. As defensive missions became redundant due to lack of Iraqi opposition in the air, 75 Squadron aircraft began flying deliberately planned strike missions–beginning with an attack on Al Kut on 23 March. By the time the squadron flew its last mission, it had amassed 670 sorties and 2300 hours in the air, including 350 sorties and 1800 hours on combat missions since 9 March.