(VOVworld) – The US Army has deployed its helicopters in the counter-Islamic State campaign in Iraq for the first time.

An Apache attack helicopter, which can sometimes fly as low as 150 feet about the ground. (Photo: Reuters)

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday that Apache helicopters had joined airstrikes on Sunday and Monday to support Iraqi ground troops fighting IS militants in western Iraq. For the last two days US military helicopters, bombers, and drones conducted a total of 9 airstrikes, including 3 attacks on the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi. Military experts said that US helicopters with machine guns could support Iraqi ground forces more effectively, because of their accuracy and low-flying range.
A report released by CENTCOM on Monday said that the US had spent some 1.1 billion USD on counter-IS campaigns in Syria and Iraq since June, averaging 7 – 10 million USD a day.