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Coalition maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft squadrons operating in the Persian Gulf under Commander Task Force 57 reached 10,000 hours flight time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in late September. The squadrons have performed their missions over Iraq and throughout the Persian Gulf since OIF began in March 2003. The crews are supporting ground troops in Iraq and performing OIF maritime interception operations as part of the coalition's effort to stop illegal smuggling of oil. During overland missions, a Marine or Army officer rides along and communicates with the troops on the ground. The rider uses the aircraft's cameras to alert troops to what is happening around them, such as a possible ambush.
Photo By Ph2 Michael Sandberg
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