F-15Es loaded with cluster bombs patrol Persian Gulf to counter small boat swarms

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles have flied patrols over the Persian Gulf armed with cluster bombs as well as other weapons well-suited for opposing the swarms of Iranian small boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Air Force sorties come after escalating tensions arose between the U.S. and Iran when the IRGC harassed and seized several tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Images of the cluster munition-armed jets flew on Wednesday as part of an official news item from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing about the Surface Combat Air Patrols, or SuCAP.

The 380th is the Air Force's main unit at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The aircraft arrived there in June.

"Their [the F-15Es'] role is to conduct combat air patrol missions over the Arabian Gulf and provide aerial escorts of naval vessels as they traverse the Strait of Hormuz," the official news item explained. "The F-15E is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions and is currently conducting Surface Combat Air Patrol (SuCAP) operations to ensure free and open maritime commerce in the region."

Cluster munitions have been more controversial in recent years, but are very useful against Iranian large fleet of small craft which has been harassing foreign ships of late. These small boats offer little protection for their jihadi crew, but that's their problem. Damage to engines, weapons systems or crew could achieve mission kill even if the craft stays afloat.

Beyond the cluster munitions, Strike Eagles from the 336th have been ready to take on individual moving targets with laser-guided bombs, as well. In one case, a pair of F-15Es each carried at least two 500-pound class GBU-12/B Paveway II bombs and one of them had a 2,000-pound class GBU-24/B Paveyway III on its centerline station. The latter weapon is capable of disabling or destroying any ship in the Iranian Navy.

In addition, the F-15Es each carried a pair of AIM-120C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and two AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range infrared homing missiles. These weapons offer a self-defense capability, but could also allow them to engage other aircraft, including drones, that might be threatening other U.S. or other friendly forces, as well as commercial ships. In 2017, Strike Eagles flying over Syria shot down two Iranian unmanned aircraft, on separate occasions, which appeared to be targeting American troops and their local partners.

In other words, if Iran gets froggy and tries to jump, they will end up looking like frogs in a blender.

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