Airpower Summary for May 22, 2009

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.25.2009

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, May 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, the battle in Lashkar Gah concluded after multiple additional aircraft engaged anti-Afghan forces targets. Joining the engagement, on May 22, were Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, F-15E Strike Eagles, B-1B Lancers, MQ-1B Predators, and MQ-9A Reapers as well as Navy F/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18E Super Hornets. Using a variety of guided bomb unit types, strafes, rockets, and Hellfire missiles, the aircraft struck numerous enemy targets including buildings and compounds which were the site of drug production operations, as well as groups of enemy personnel and their fighting positions during the fight with Afghan and coalition troops. The battle resulted in a reduction in anti-Afghan forces drug processing capability and significant losses to enemy forces in southern Afghanistan.

An A-10 performed overwatch after an AH-64 Apache experienced what early reports suggested was a possible mechanical failure and crashed. The aircraft provided cover for operations as medevac helicopters and recovery personnel arrived on scene.

Near Sheykhabad, A-10s conducted strafing runs against ant-Afghan forces personnel taking cover in a treeline. The aircraft used smoke rounds to adjust fire onto the target before opening fire with 30mm cannons.

In the vicinity of Kabul, an F-15E conducted strafing runs against enemy fighting positions including a suspected enemy tactical command post. The jet carried out the strikes after friendly ground forces detected the enemy positions.

UK Royal Air Force GR-9 Harriers conducted several shows of force after a coalition unit started taking heavy fire. The maneuvers suppressed enemy fire so that the unit could withdraw and regroup in a position of better advantage.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets flying over Qalat performed shows of force after Afghan and coalition forces began receiving fire. The aircraft remained overhead to cover the unit afterward.

In Qal-E-Naw, Hornets, Super Hornets and an A-10 conducted shows of force as an Afghan patrol accompanied by coalition advisors entered a village. The overflights deterred enemy forces from attacking as the soldiers met with local residents and moved through the town.

Additional coalition, Navy and Air Force aircraft flew shows of force in several places in Afghanistan including Qalat, Ghazni, Musa Qala and Bagram. The aircraft's participation decreased chances of enemy attack during Afghan and coalition missions, allowing reconstruction, humanitarian and security operations to proceed without incident.

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

In total, 83 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 21 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-seven 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 145 airlift sorties were flown; 620 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 3,200 passengers were transported. This included over 100,100 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On May 21, U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 260 receiving aircraft.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2009
• Date Posted: 05.25.2009 02:06
• Story ID: 34042
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)