Airpower Summary for Feb. 3, 2009

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

02.03.2009

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central           

By the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs Office

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Feb. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed an anti-Afghan bunker near Now Zad with a guided bomb unit-31. Enemy personnel in the bunker were firing on coalition ground forces.

In the Lashkar Gah area, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet and a coalition aircraft used several kinds of precision munitions and rockets to target enemy gunmen barricaded in buildings. The aircraft used strike tactics that avoided damage to nearby buildings and even caused only minimal damage to the occupied structures. The airstrikes supported coalition units fighting building to building against anti-Afghan personnel.

Near Nangalam, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-15E Strike Eagles coordinated attacks with marking rockets and GBU-31s to target anti-Afghan forces firing heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. A Strike Eagle also flew a show of force to deter additional enemy activity.

A-10s along with Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets and coalition aircraft flew shows of force over Monari, Ghazni, and Tarin Kowt to discourage activity from enemy forces. Shows of force provide a level of non-lethal aerial engagement in support of coalition missions.

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

In total, 70 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 39 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-nine Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three 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 128 airlift sorties were flown; more than 270 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 Feb. 2, U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 253 receiving aircraft.

• Date Taken: 02.03.2009
• Date Posted: 02.04.2009 09:16
• Story ID: 29637
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)