Airpower Summary for April 10

Courtesy Photo | A C-130 assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, prepares for take off before a recent mission. Every week, the 746th EAS contributes to the wing, delivering more than 1,500 tons of cargo to forward deployed locations. They also transport hundreds of service members in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Miller)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

04.11.2007

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

Airpower Summary for April 10
SOUTHWEST ASIA — In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided a show of force, releasing multiple flares, in support of a coalition convoy near Kalan. As the convoy arrived at an area that could have been used by enemy personnel as an ambush point, the Joint Terminal Attack Controller requested the show of force as a precaution to prevent any attacks on the convoy.

To meet the objectives of a coalition ground commander, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-12 on an insurgent vehicle known to be delivering ammunition to various anti-coalition militia firing locations near Sangin. A JTAC, aligned with the coalition ground forces, confirmed the weapon successfully hit the target and caused multiple secondary explosions.

Another F/A-18 dropped a GBU-12 on a building being used by insurgents near Sangin. A JTAC reported the weapon hit the desired target. The F/A-18 also conducted reconnaissance of suspected rocket propelled grenade launch positions nearby.

Also near Sangin, other F/A-18s dropped GBU-12s on a building being used by insurgents as a suspected firing position. A JTAC confirmed the weapons hit the target. The F/A-18s then released cannon rounds on the building after the JTAC identified insurgents remaining in the partially destroyed building. The cannon rounds were reported to hit the desired target with successful effects.

At the request of a coalition ground commander, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier provided a show of force to deter the enemy from potentially ambushing a coalition convoy after it struck an improvised explosive device near Sangin. No further attacks were reported on the convoy following the show of force.

A French air force Mirage 2000 provided a show of force over a house on a ridgeline near Pashshad. A JTAC reported it as successful.

In total, 48 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, at the request of a coalition ground commander, U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided shows of force for coalition forces receiving sniper and small arms fire near Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed the shows of force as successful and reported no further attacks. The F-16s also performed a counter-IED mission over a nearby route.

Another F-16 provided a show of force for coalition ground forces receiving small arms fire near Baghdad. A JTAC determined it to be successful and reported no additional attacks. The F-16 also performed a counter-IED mission and provided over watch for a coalition patrol in the area.

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided shows of force, releasing multiple flares, for an extensive clearing operation in Baqubah. No attacks were reported during the operation.

F-16s provided over watch while coalition ground forces performed a raid on a building near Bayji.

More F-16s were assigned counter-IED missions along a route near Baghdad. The F-16s then conducted armed over watch of coalition ground forces taking small arms and RPG fire.

Also in Baghdad, F/A-18s conducted reconnaissance for suspicious activity near an IED site. The F/A-18 pilots observed approximately 12 personnel in the vicinity of a recent IED site and passed this information to a JTAC, who replied that the coalition ground commander would investigate the situation.

Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados provided surveillance on a building suspected of being used by the enemy and under consideration for an air strike near Baghdad. The GR-4 pilots also searched for suspicious activity near a coalition forces' position in the same area.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 56 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch of reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Fourteen U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 400 tons of cargo was delivered, and approximately 1,635 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Canada flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On April 9, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force and French Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded nearly 2.6 million pounds of fuel.

• Date Taken: 04.11.2007
• Date Posted: 04.11.2007 16:27
• Story ID: 9871
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)