Airpower Summary for April 13

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

04.16.2007

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

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U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, April 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles received notice that coalition forces were taking mortar and small arms fire while trying to make their way to the district center of Now Zad.

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller passed coordinates for a building used as an enemy fighting position and the F-15Es dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-38 on the target. The JTAC confirmed the building was destroyed. Another GBU-38 was dropped successfully on a second target at the request of the coalition ground commander.

The F-15Es were then assigned to make strafing passes into a wooded area that was a known enemy firing position and where enemy forces were attempting to maneuver around coalition forces. After the jets strafed the wooded area, anti-aircraft artillery was heard. By then, coalition forces had made their way safely to the district center.

Near Sangin, U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornets provided close air support for coalition forces and dropped GBU-12s on their assigned targets. A JTAC confirmed the weapons hit the targets. The F-18s were also directed to drop a GBU-38, followed by firing 20mm cannon rounds. A JTAC confirmed the strafing and bomb attack hit the desired target.

More F-18s were assigned to watch for suspicious activity in a town near Monari. The F-18s provided successful shows of force at the request of a JTAC.

In total, 49 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Six U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons were called in to provide counter-IED reconnaissance near Baqubah.

Near Bayji, F-16s provided overwatch for coalition forces and conducted counter-IED missions.

More F-16s conducted a counter-IED overwatch, reported a hot spot and were assigned to follow an IED-placer and reported to ground controllers that the person they were following ran into a house.

Near Basrah, F-18s conducted air reconnaissance where a coalition convoy was receiving small arms fire.

Other U.S. Navy F-18s provided air reconnaissance for suspicious activity along a route near Baghdad and looked for two individuals suspected of IED emplacement.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch of reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Fourteen U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 520 tons of cargo was delivered, and approximately 1,940 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq and Japan flew in support of OIF or OEF.
On April 12, U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded nearly 3.2 million pounds of fuel.