Airpower Summary for March 5

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Tony Tolley | An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle sits on the parking ramp at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The Predator is a medium-altitude, long endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. Its primary mission is interdiction and conducting armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

03.06.2008

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

By U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
Combined Air and Space Operations Center

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Mar. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator dropped a hellfire missile in order to destroy enemy combatants in Kajaki Dam. The Joint Terminal Attack Controller confirmed that the mission was successful.

In Now Zad, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped Guided Bomb Unit-38s in order to destroy enemy combatants in a bunker. The mission was declared successful by the JTAC.

A show of force was performed by an Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle in order to deter enemy activities in Gardez. The JTAC reported that the mission was successful.

An Air Force A-10 performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities in Lwara. The success of the mission was confirmed by the JTAC.

In total, 36 close air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Four Air Force and surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy an enemy structure with enemy combatants inside. The JTAC reported that the mission was successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 68 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-six Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and Royal 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 140 airlift sorties were flown; 708 tons of cargo delivered, and 3,294 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, and Iraq flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Mar. 4, U.S. Air Force, French, and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.

• Date Taken: 03.06.2008
• Date Posted: 03.06.2008 13:17
• Story ID: 17066
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)