Airpower Summary for April 26

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

04.28.2009

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E carried out a show of force and bombed a preplanned target with a guided bomb unit-38. The target, an anti-Afghan forces facility in a residential compound, was near civilian structures. The show of force was conducted prior to the strike to warn civilians to avoid the area.

In the Lashkar Gah area, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone fired Hellfire missiles to take out an enemy tractor trailer towing an anti-aircraft gun. Both the truck and the gun were destroyed. Later, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber flew several shows of force and expended flares to prevent an enemy force from assembling for attack near a coalition forward base.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew shows of force over Bagram as Afghan national army and coalition dismounted patrols conducted a security operation. The shows of force served to deter enemy activity and provide a higher level of security presence for the area.

Near Moqor, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet executed a show of force over a village to increase security as friendly forces prepared to patrol the settlement. The patrol was conducted without incident, providing additional protection for local residents.

An A-10 flew a show of force near Sheykhabad to allow a friendly convoy to regroup after a vehicle was disabled by an improvised explosive device. The maneuver deterred enemy aggression and allowed the convoy to recover and proceed with its mission.

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

In total, 78 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-one Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 22 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, three Air Force and 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 160 airlift sorties were flown; 600 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 3,000 passengers were transported. This included approximately 66,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On April 25, U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 234 receiving aircraft.

• Date Taken: 04.28.2009
• Date Posted: 04.28.2009 03:22
• Story ID: 32944
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)