Al Qaeda's anti aircraft team

Bill Roggio:

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The two military and intelligence sources believe al-Qaeda has organized a grouping of anti-aircraft cells, whose purpose is to deny Coalition forces the free use of helicopters to ferry troops, resupply outlying areas, and conduct assault missions. Al-Qaeda wants to force Coalition forces to use ground transportation, where it believes heavier casualties can be inflicted on U.S. forces via roadside bombing and mine attacks (IEDs). Helicpoter shoot-downs also "make for compelling television," according to a military source, which "helps project the image of a deadly, unbeatable enemy." Al-Qaeda is believed to have deployed multiple anti-aircraft cells along the known overflight routes in and around Baghdad.

The cells are thought to be armed with Russian made Strela SA-7 anti-aircraft missiles, a first generation shoulder fired anti-aircraft missile which is widely distributed throughout the world. These weapons are not as sophisticated as U.S. made Stingers, which were used with deadly consequences by mujahideen in Afghanistan against Soviet fixed and rotary wing aircraft. U.S. aircraft have systems to deter missile threats (jammers, flairs, chaff) but there are no reports these systems were deployed during any of the engagements.

Al-Qaeda in Iraq, via its political mouthpiece the Islamic State in Iraq, has taken credit for two of the kills. Al-Qaeda gloated it shot down the Apache in Taji, and even released a video of the Apache being taken down. Al-Qaeda in Iraq has also claimed credit for today's downing of the CH-46 transport in Karma.

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The suspicion is the Islamic Republic of Iran is behind supplying al-Qaeda with the needed weapons, training and logistical support to supply and field a successful anti-aircraft force, much as the United States provided the mujahideen with Stingers in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

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There is more. A concentrated effort on choppers gives al Qaeda high PR value targets. The same kills in ground traffic have become so routine that the media is no longer playing the al Qaeda script on those target. Helicopters are most vulnerable when hovering or landing. They are also easier to hit coming or going than they are from the side. Fixed wing A-10's are much less vulnerable to ground fire and are superior ground support air craft. However, many of the choppers hit have been troop transports. The US needs to find ways to vary the routes and approaches of these craft to make it more difficult for the chopper killers to set up.