US Airpower Summary, Feb. 7, 2009: F-15Es Target Enemy Positions

An F-15E Strike Eagle breaks away from a KC-135 Stratotanker after refueling over Southwest Asia in this file photo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Strang.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 7, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted multiple anti-Afghan firing positions near Bagram using general purpose 500-pound bombs and 30mm cannon strafes. Enemy gunmen had opened fire on a coalition unit with intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire when the jets engaged, destroying the enemy positions. Following the engagement an A-10 flew a show of force over the area to deter further enemy action.

A coalition aircraft employed precision fire in pursuit of anti-Afghan forces involved in an engagement with coalition troops in the vicinity of Delaram. After positively identifying and tracking the enemy personnel, the aircraft timed its engagement to preserve the safety of local residents and buildings.

In the Nangalam area, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy personnel shooting at a coalition base. Employing guided bomb unit-38s, the aircraft targeted hostile firing positions and ended the attack.

An F-15E conducted a show of force near Asmar after a coalition patrol started taking small arms fire from enemy personnel taking cover in a civilian settlement. The maneuver led the enemy shooters to break off fire and retreat.

A coalition aircraft flew a show of force near Kajaki Dam, deterring enemy forces from attacking a coalition convoy transiting the area. An A-10 also flew a show of force to deter enemy activity during a coalition ground operation near Monari.

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 the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Sixteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16CG Fighting Falcons executed preplanned GBU-38 strikes on a large building near Ba'qubah which insurgents had booby-trapped with high explosives. The building was destroyed using tactics to ensure a minimal detonation, eliminating the danger enemy explosives posed to nearby coalition troops and civilians in the area.

Coalition aircraft flew 39 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. Additionally, 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 130 airlift sorties were flown; more than 575 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 3,450 passengers were transported. This included approximately 60,000 pounds of troop resupply that was air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Feb. 5, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 261 receiving aircraft.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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