Airpower Summary for April 22

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

04.22.2008

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

By The U.S. Air Forces Central 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 April 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-31 onto a cave opening in the vicinity of Bari Kowt. The strike was conducted in order to deny enemy combatants who were firing onto coalition forces use of the cave. The mission was declared successful by the joint terminal attack controller.

A show of force was performed by a French Air Force Mirage-2000 in Now Zad. The show of force was performed to deter enemy activities in the area. The JTAC reported the mission as a success.

In total, 43 close air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired hellfire missiles onto an enemy vehicle and a weapons cache near Baghdad. The mission was confirmed as successful by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 66 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-one Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, eight Air Force, Navy, and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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

Approximately 139 airlift sorties were flown; 579 tons of cargo delivered, and 3,790 passengers were transported. This included approximately 23,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Apr. 21, U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 278 receiving aircraft.

• Date Taken: 04.22.2008
• Date Posted: 04.23.2008 16:50
• Story ID: 18710
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)