An
F-15E Strike Eagle deploys flares during a mission over Afghanistan.
The F-15E provides close-air support and armed overwatch in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron
Allmon)
4/18/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition
airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and
International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during
operations April 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations
Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles operating near Lashkar
Gah targeted anti-Afghan forces taking cover in a walled compound. The
jets destroyed the enemy fighting positions inside the compound using
guided bomb unit-38s.
A coalition aircraft also struck an enemy headquarters cell in another
compound in the area with a GBU-12. An additional coalition aircraft
performed strafing runs against enemy forces hunkered in a ditch and a
machine gun position. Enemy forces had fired on coalition ground units
with rocket-propelled grenades and assault weapons, prompting the
strikes.
Near Asmar, an F-15E responded to a firefight between anti-Afghan
gunmen and coalition forces. The enemy shooters ceased fire when the
jet arrived on scene, but the F-15E flew a show of force at the request
of the ground force commander as a deterrent to further aggression.
In the vicinity of Monari, a Strike Eagle conducted a show of force
after a coalition convoy vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive
device and began taking weapons fire. The maneuver prevented further
enemy attack as a medevac helicopter evacuated injured personnel from
the site.
An F-15E flying over Kabul performed a show of force and launched
flares when Afghan government forces guarding a district center started
taking fire. Anti-Afghan forces broke off their attack after the jet
passed overhead.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
In total, 57 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF
and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Twenty Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft
flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two
coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, 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-seven 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 Globemastser IIIs provided
intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout
Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 125 airlift sorties were flown, 475 tons of cargo were
delivered and about 2,600 passengers were transported. Airlift included
approximately 24,000 tons of aerial resupply dropped over Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On April 16, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 34 sorties and
off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 179 receiving
aircraft.
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