Airpower Summary for March 15, 2009

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

03.15.2009

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

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle destroyed a cache of unexploded munitions using a guided bomb unit-31. The blast destroyed the cache, which contained ordinance of the type frequently used by anti-Afghan forces to construct roadside bombs.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used GBU-38s and 30mm cannon fire to destroy enemy fighting positions in caves near Bagram. The strikes took place after enemy forces opened fire on a coalition forward base with assault weapons and rocket propelled grenade launchers.

Near Shurakian, a Strike Eagle destroyed four enemy fighting positions using GBU-38s after anti-Afghan gunmen shot at a coalition patrol with machine guns and RPGs. The aircraft conducted a show of force and expended flares as a deterrent to enemy forces ahead of the engagement but resorted to bombs when the enemy gunmen started firing. A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet also conducted a show of force nearby, successfully preventing hostilities toward a coalition convoy.

On the outskirts of Asmar, Army helicopters tracked a group of anti-Afghan personnel to a hole-up site in a cave complex, calling in F-15Es to destroy it. The enemy personnel had been pouring heavy weapons fire on the helicopters and taking shots from inside the cave entrance. The Strike Eagles used GBU-38s and a GBU-31 to collapse the caves, ending enemy fire.

An F-15E bombed an anti-Afghan fighting position using a GBU-31, knocking out the source of enemy gunfire against a coalition forward base near Nangalam. The enemy attack stopped immediately after the firing position was destroyed. The Strike Eagle continued providing aerial overwatch and swept the area for additional enemy personnel.

In the vicinity of Gereshk, a coalition aircraft targeted an enemy fighting position with a GBU-12. The strike took place in response to a ground unit's request for an airstrike.

After enemy forces started shelling a coalition unit in Asmar using mortars and rockets, Strike Eagles employed GBU-31s to destroy the hostile firing positions. The fighters hit the enemy mortar and rocket teams after locating them in an open field traced as the source of the indirect fire rounds.

F-15Es and a coalition aircraft performed shows of force to deter attacks near Bari Kowt, Lashkar Gah, and Shurakian after coalition ground forces detected signs of enemy presence. The aircraft provided an additional layer of security for ground units, allowing them to complete their missions without hindrance from anti-Afghan forces.

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.

Eighteen Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 14 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.

Twenty-three Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, a 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 115 airlift sorties were flown; more than 630 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 2,500 passengers were transported.

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

On March 14, U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 170 receiving aircraft.