An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II, like the one shown here, flew a show
of force March 28, expending a number of flares, to deter an enemy
force attack while providing overwatch for a coalition medical
evacuation by helicopter. (U.S. Air Force file photo/Airman 1st Class
Chad Strohmeyer)
3/29/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition
airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the
International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following
operations March 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations
Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, a United Kingdom Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier and a
coalition aircraft destroyed enemy fighting positions near Kajaki Dam
using Paveway precision guided bombs, rocket pods, and a guided bomb
unit-12. The strikes took place in response to enemy weapons fire
directed towards coalition ground troops. A coalition AH-64 Apache
attack helicopter arrived to cover coalition forces' withdrawal from
the engagement after the jets' attack run.
Near Asmar, F-15E Strike Eagles attacked enemy forces with GBU-31s,
hitting a sniper hideout and a group of enemy gunmen firing at
Coalition troops with assault rifles. The aircraft also provided
surveillance and targeting when Coalition artillery began engaging
enemy forces.
In the Gardez area, an A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force,
expending a number of flares, to deter an enemy force attack while
providing overwatch for a coalition medical evacuation by helicopter.
Enemy forces had detonated an improvised explosive device against an
Afghan National Army unit.
A Navy F/A-18C Hornet executed a show of force to stop enemy rocket
propelled grenade fire against a friendly patrol. The jet expended
flares to emphasize its presence, deterring further enemy fire.
Navy and Air Force aircraft also performed shows of force in Lashkar
Gah, Bagram and Jalalabad to deter enemy actions in those areas. The
maneuvers provided an additional measure of security to coalition
supply convoy operations, which support reconstruction, humanitarian,
and security operations throughout Afghanistan.
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. In
addition, four Navy and coalition aircraft provided tactical
surveillance and reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 23 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-four Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In
addition, three Air Force and coalition aircraft provided tactical
surveillance and reconnaissance.
U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided
intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout
Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 125 airlift sorties were flown; 500 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 3,000 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On March 27, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 37 sorties and
off-loaded about 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 180 receiving aircraft.
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