3/27/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition
airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the
International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during
operations March 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations
Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18-E and -F Super Hornets carried out shows of
force and used guided bomb unit-38s against enemy personnel on a
mountain near Tarin Kowt. Anti-afghan forces had conducted an ambush on
a friendly convoy, beginning the attack with an improvised explosive
device before opening fire. The jets destroyed the enemy positions.
Near Musa Qala, F/A-18Fs conducted strafing runs and dropped GBU-38s
against enemy personnel in firing points concealed throughout several
buildings. These efforts were directed at stopping anti-Afghan forces
attacks against coalition ground troops, which included fire from enemy
mortar, assault rifle, and machine gun positions.
In the vicinity of Worzhanah Kalay, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used
smoke to mark enemy positions before teaming up to take them out with a
GBU-38 and general purpose 500-pound bombs. The aircraft worked in
teams to positively identify enemy fighters before employing munitions,
ensuring weapons landed precisely on target.
An F/A-18-F executed a show of force and expended flares near Lashkar
Gah to prevent a pending anti-Afghan forces attack after enemy gunmen
were spotted outside a coalition forward base. The aircraft's
appearance provided a deterrent and prevented hostilities from
developing further.
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.
Seventeen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In
addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew seven 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-one Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of
operations in Iraq. In addition, a 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 100 airlift sorties were flown,250 tons of cargo were delivered and about 1,500 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On March 23, Air Force tankers flew 49 sorties and off-loaded
approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 238 receiving aircraft.
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