Airpower Summary for March 8, 2009

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

03.10.2009

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

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SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations March 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flying aerial overwatch near Lashkar Gah strafed a group of enemy personnel who set up an improvised explosive device along a roadway. The individuals were hiding in a tree line, apparently waiting for an approaching coalition convoy, but were detected before they could carry out an attack.

Near Garmser, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet used a guided bomb unit-38 to destroy an enemy firing position that had been laying down automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire at a coalition unit. The strike was a direct hit and leveled the position.

A Navy F/A-18C Hornet dropped a GBU-12, hitting a compound in Musa Qala that anti-Afghan forces were using for a fighting position. The strike targeted the specific structure where enemy forces were located and ended their fire.

A Super Hornet bombed anti-Afghan gunmen crossing an open field with a GBU-38 after they attacked a friendly checkpoint on the outskirts of Gereshk. The gunmen were killed by the blast.

In the Kandahar region, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator launched a Hellfire missile hitting a member of an enemy group that had planted an IED. The drone tracked the individual from a road where he had placed an IED and targeted him when he began firing at a coalition helicopter with an assault rifle. Shortly afterward, F-15Es tracking the rest of the IED group hit them with GBU-12s.

A coalition aircraft took out an enemy radio tower in the Sangin region using a GBU-12. The strike served to degrade enemy communications capabilities which were damaged in other air strikes the previous day.

Near Kajaki Dam, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet executed a show of force while flying air cover for a coalition convoy. The maneuver suppressed the fire of enemy personnel, who were hiding in and firing at the convoy from a local resident's home, without resorting to a destructive attack. The convoy was able to proceed with its mission.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II executed a show of force and expended a number of flares over anti-Afghan forces concealed in a residential block, helping a friendly supply convoy withdraw from the enemy's attack. Enemy fire ceased when the aircraft arrived.

Coalition aircraft flew shows of force over Bagram to deter enemy action near coalition forward bases in the area. The increased aerial presence helped increase local security and prevented hostilities.

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 81 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-four Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 29 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Thirteen Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three Air Force and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 100 airlift sorties were flown; more than 400 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 3,100 passengers were transported. This included approximately 20,200 pounds of supplies of supplies air-dropped over Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On March 7, U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 256 receiving aircraft.