Operation Iraqi Freedom - April 3, 2003, Day Fifteen

[David]

Advance elements of American forces are now reported to have reached the southern outskirts of Baghdad, as the Iraqi capital was plunged into darkness for the first time since the war to topple Saddam Hussein began two weeks ago.

Coalition air forces flew more than 1,900 sorties in support of operations April 3. A total of 850 were strike sorties, and 85 percent of those were aimed at Iraqi Republican Guard units. There were about 450 tanker missions, more than 200 airlift missions and about 100 command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Relief supplies are arriving in Um Qasr, a port at Iraq's southernmost tip.

Coalition forces struck Iraqi Air Force headquarters buildings in central Baghdad at approximately 12:45 p.m. EST Thursday. The buildings are located west of the Tigris River, near the Baghdad/Muthenna airfield. Coalition aircraft struck the buildings with JDAMs. The strike degraded Iraqi Air Force capabilities to command and control Iraqi air assets. Battle damage assessment is ongoing.