(ENEMY ACTION) SAFIRE RPT (Small Arms) TF DESTINY : 0 INJ/DAM

WHO: TF EAGLE ASSAULT EASY 30 (CH-47) WHEN: 010248ZJUN08 WHERE: POO: 42S TA 379 725 A/C: 42S TA 3790 7278 (150FT AGL, HDG 265, SPD 110KTS) WHAT: At 0245Z, a flight of 3 x CH-47s departed OBJ Hammer. At 0718L, EASY 30 (150FT AGL, HDG 265, SPD 110KTS, trail A/C) audibly identified 2-3 x 5 round bursts of SAF from the left hand side of aircraft. Crew observed rounds impact ridgeline approximately 100m behind the aircraft at the 5 oclock position, kicking up dust. Assessed POO is possible fighting position composed of piled up rocks on ridgeline IVO 42S TA 379 725. At 0400Z Flight arrived at KAF EOM. Aircraft was not hit during the engagement. TF EAGLE ASSAULT COMMENT: SAFIRE is assessed as minor TOO utilizing SAF. Due to its close proximity and isolated location (POO is approximately 2.5km away from the next built up area), it is likely that the EF engaging aircraft reside in one of approximately 15 compounds located within 400m W and SW of POO along the base of the ridgeline. Although it is possible, it is unlikely that EF were alerted to Coalition presence by previously used ingress route (5km South, approximately 15 minutes earlier) and hastily moved to the fighting position IOT target aircraft on egress from OBJ Hammer. EF demonstrated fire discipline by only targeting the trail aircraft. By waiting to target third aircraft in the flight of three, EF was able to avoid PID/counter-fire by multiple CH-47s. There have been no SAFIREs within the last 90 days within 10NM. (SPC Mootz)