An A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft moves into position to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan. A-10s provide top cover and close-air support to coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)
Feb. 23 airpower summary: A-10s provide air cover
2/24/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition
airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq
and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during
operations Feb. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations
Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets spotted enemy personnel
trying to plant an improvised explosive device in the path of an
approaching coalition patrol. The individuals tried to flee on a
motorbike but were caught by the jets' strafing attacks, which disabled
the bike. The enemy personnel continued to try to escape on foot until
they were apprehended by coalition soldiers.
Near Gereshk, Navy F/A-18E and 18F Super Hornets supported a combined
Afghan National Army and coalition ground force raid on several enemy
compounds. Using a series of precision guided bomb unit-38 strikes to
augment ground attacks, the aircraft destroyed several enemy facilities
and fighting positions, including a sizeable weapons cache. Sixteen
enemy fighters were killed during the engagement, with three Taliban
commanders among them. Key to the combined operations' success was the
presence of ground observers who pinpointed targets and verified that
civilians were not present in the targeted area.
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided air cover during an engagement
at the request of a coalition convoy taking fire from anti-Afghan
fighting positions outside Nangalam. The A-10s engaged, rolling in with
30mm cannon strafes to destroy the fortifications, freeing up the
convoy to safely complete its mission.
Over Kandahar, a Super Hornet flew a show of force and expended flares
to suppress enemy fire as coalition troops engaged anti-Afghan forces
on the streets below. The maneuver was successful, prompting the enemy
to cease fire and withdraw.
Coalition aircraft executed shows of force in the vicinity of several
Afghan cities and towns including Sangin, Soltani, Garmser, Murgab and
Ghazni. The maneuvers provided an air power presence and deterred enemy
activities in those areas, contributing to successful and unhindered
coalition and Afghan National Army operations.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
In total, 75 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the
ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route
patrols.
Thirteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.
Additionally, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical
reconnaissance.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16CJ Fighting Falcons used GBU-38s to destroy a
staging area used by insurgents to launch terrorist operations. The
loss of the facility reduced the insurgents' ability to operate within
the province.
Near Ba'qubah several Fighting Falcons conducted several strikes using
GBU-38s and GBU-54s while providing air cover for a coalition raid on
an enemy compound suspected as a source of recent terrorist activity.
Coalition ground forces attempted to enter the compound to conduct a
search, but pulled back when gunmen barricaded inside the buildings
opened fire. After an F-16CJ's show of force did not persuade the
occupants to surrender, the jets released several weapons to destroy
the buildings.
An F-16CJ flew another show of force near Ba'qubah after a coalition
patrol spotted individuals apparently setting up a roadside bomb. To
prevent risk to civilian personnel the aircraft performed the maneuver
instead of dropping weapons, then assisted ground forces with tracking
the individuals.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
Coalition aircraft flew 28 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 ISR aircraft flew missions as part of
operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed
tactical reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided
intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout
Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 130 airlift sorties were flown, more than 450 tons of
cargo was delivered and about 3,900 passengers were transported. This
included approximately 15,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in
Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Feb. 22, Air Force tanker crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded
approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.
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