Airpower Summary for March 9, 2009

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

03.11.2009

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 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Thunderbolt II flying over the Bari Kowt region used guided munitions and a general purpose 500-pound bomb to hit an enemy force on top of a ridgeline and destroy a cave used as an enemy base of operations. Enemy shooters engaged coalition soldiers which prompted the air strike.

In the Garmser area, A Navy F/A-18C Hornet used its Vulcan cannon in a strafing run near a compound where enemy forces were firing at a coalition patrol. Enemy forces stopped shooting and fled after the strafing pass.

An A-10 flying overwatch for a coalition ground operation dropped a GBU-38 that destroyed an anti-Afghan forces compound near Shurakian. The compound was located in an area where coalition ground units had historically taken fire. This prompted coalition intelligence to track enemy personnel until they discovered their base of operations. Ground observers confirmed the target before the strike was authorized. The same aircraft also fired two warning shots using smoke marking rounds in a nearby area. This deterred a group of enemy personnel who fired small arms and rocket propelled grenades at a coalition convoy.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets dropped GBU-12s on an enemy firing position and an enemy compound near Lashkar Gah. Both strikes took place in response to enemy forces firing at coalition personnel with small arms.

Near Tarin Kowt, an F/A-18F engaged with a 20 mm cannon strafing pass and hit a group of enemy personnel setting up an improvised explosive device. The group had been tracked and positively identified by an unmanned surveillance drone. Coalition ground forces confirmed that the IED emplacers were killed in the strike.

In the vicinity of Kajaki Dam, an F/A-18E blew up an enemy bunker in a compound with a GBU-12 after anti-Afghan forces opened fire from inside it. The Super Hornet followed up with a show of force and expended a flare following the attack to illuminate the target for coalition ground forces.

An A-10 flying air cover for a coalition convoy in Ghazni flew several shows of force to deter enemy action after an IED explosion disabled one of the vehicles. The presence of the aircraft allowed the convoy to transfer personnel and equipment from the damaged vehicle as Afghan national army forces in the area pursued the enemy IED team.

An A-10 flying aerial cover for a route-clearing convoy in Bagram provided a show of force and expended flares when enemy gunmen started taking shots at the vehicles from a nearby hillside. The enemy stopped firing and ran after the jet passed over.

Navy and UK Royal air force aircraft performed shows of force over several other locations in Afghanistan including Malek Din, Lashkar Gah, and Tarin Kowt. The shows of force were requested to deter enemy attacks on coalition units who were performing security and reconstruction missions in those areas.

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

In total, 74 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-one 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 17 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.

Twelve Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force 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 107 airlift sorties were flown; more than 400 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 2,675 passengers were transported. This included approximately 93,000 pounds of supplies of supplies air-dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On March 8, U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 258 receiving aircraft