An MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aircraft prepares for take off in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Predator provides integrated and synchronized close-air operations, to include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Sabrina Johnson)
Feb. 24 airpower summary: Predator targets anti-Afghan forces
2/25/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged enemy forces with a warning strafe and a guided bomb unit-12 during a ground fight between anti-Afghan forces and coalition soldiers. The Strike Eagle initially flew a show of force to deter enemy forces from firing on the patrol, followed by a warning strafe when they resumed fire. Finally, the F-15E released weapons when enemy gunmen attempted to escape, with the bomb striking them in an open field away from civilian buildings.
Navy F/A-18C Hornets and a coalition aircraft supported Afghan National Army and coalition troops while conducting a combined battle against anti-Afghan forces in the mountains near Tarin Kowt. The jets flew shows of force to suppress the enemy, giving friendly forces additional freedom to move. The aircraft also dropped GBU-12s and a GBU-38, striking enemy bunkers and fighting holes where mortars, assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns were being fired. The strikes destroyed several key enemy positions, helping ground forces overrun the enemy and win the engagement.
In the vicinity of Balocan, and Air Force MQ-1 Predator drone targeted several anti-Afghan personnel in the act of emplacing an improvised explosive device on a local highway. After obtaining clearance to fire from a ground observer who was monitoring the site to positively identify the enemy personnel and prevent any threat to civilians, the drone fired a single Hellfire missile to strike the group.
An F-15E flew a show of force near Tarin Kowt to deter enemy attack against a coalition convoy while providing route surveillance and monitoring potential ambush sites for signs of threats. After an IED was detected on the convoy's route, the Strike Eagle performed an additional show of force while the explosive was cleared then provided aerial escort as the convoy completed the mission.
A coalition aircraft provided a show of force as an Afghan National Army unit approached an anti-Afghan compound. The aircraft provided overwatch as Afghan National Army troops raided the facility, engaged enemy personnel and collected prisoners.
Navy and Air Force aircraft also conducted shows of force to deter enemy activity and provided aerial overwatch during several other coalition and Afghan National Army operations throughout Afghanistan. The aircraft provided an additional level of security without using lethal force to ensure mission success and preserve civilian safety.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of each mission.
In total, 73 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Eighteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons and a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado used several precision munitions to engage an enemy compound that insurgents had booby-trapped with explosives. The structure, located in the vicinity of Ba'qubah, was following a raid in which ground forces captured two key insurgent figures as well as a number of enemy arms and supplies.
A Fighting Falcon conducted shows of force near a coalition forward base in Ba'qubah. The maneuver provided a visible deterrent against insurgent activity in the area.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of each mission.
Coalition aircraft flew 26 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-eight Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three Air Force and coalition 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 120 airlift sorties were flown, more than 450 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,650 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Feb. 23, Air Force tanker crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged enemy forces with a warning strafe and a guided bomb unit-12 during a ground fight between anti-Afghan forces and coalition soldiers. The Strike Eagle initially flew a show of force to deter enemy forces from firing on the patrol, followed by a warning strafe when they resumed fire. Finally, the F-15E released weapons when enemy gunmen attempted to escape, with the bomb striking them in an open field away from civilian buildings.
Navy F/A-18C Hornets and a coalition aircraft supported Afghan National Army and coalition troops while conducting a combined battle against anti-Afghan forces in the mountains near Tarin Kowt. The jets flew shows of force to suppress the enemy, giving friendly forces additional freedom to move. The aircraft also dropped GBU-12s and a GBU-38, striking enemy bunkers and fighting holes where mortars, assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns were being fired. The strikes destroyed several key enemy positions, helping ground forces overrun the enemy and win the engagement.
In the vicinity of Balocan, and Air Force MQ-1 Predator drone targeted several anti-Afghan personnel in the act of emplacing an improvised explosive device on a local highway. After obtaining clearance to fire from a ground observer who was monitoring the site to positively identify the enemy personnel and prevent any threat to civilians, the drone fired a single Hellfire missile to strike the group.
An F-15E flew a show of force near Tarin Kowt to deter enemy attack against a coalition convoy while providing route surveillance and monitoring potential ambush sites for signs of threats. After an IED was detected on the convoy's route, the Strike Eagle performed an additional show of force while the explosive was cleared then provided aerial escort as the convoy completed the mission.
A coalition aircraft provided a show of force as an Afghan National Army unit approached an anti-Afghan compound. The aircraft provided overwatch as Afghan National Army troops raided the facility, engaged enemy personnel and collected prisoners.
Navy and Air Force aircraft also conducted shows of force to deter enemy activity and provided aerial overwatch during several other coalition and Afghan National Army operations throughout Afghanistan. The aircraft provided an additional level of security without using lethal force to ensure mission success and preserve civilian safety.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of each mission.
In total, 73 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Eighteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons and a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado used several precision munitions to engage an enemy compound that insurgents had booby-trapped with explosives. The structure, located in the vicinity of Ba'qubah, was following a raid in which ground forces captured two key insurgent figures as well as a number of enemy arms and supplies.
A Fighting Falcon conducted shows of force near a coalition forward base in Ba'qubah. The maneuver provided a visible deterrent against insurgent activity in the area.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of each mission.
Coalition aircraft flew 26 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-eight Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three Air Force and coalition 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 120 airlift sorties were flown, more than 450 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,650 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Feb. 23, 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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