US Airpower Summary, March 13, 2009: F-15Es Interrupt Mortar Attack

An F-15E Strike Eagle soars over the mountains of Afghanistan in support of operations in Southwest Asia. The F-15E provides close-air support and aerial overwatch for coalition forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 13, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier destroyed an enemy truck with a precision guided munition. The truck was carrying anti-Afghan personnel who had been emplacing improvised explosives as well as their weapons and equipment.

Near Ghazni, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flew a show of force that interrupted an enemy mortar attack against a coalition convoy. The convoy safely withdrew and accomplished its mission.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets performed shows of force to deter enemy action while covering the extraction of a coalition unit which had completed an operation in the Sangin region. The aircraft also provided armed overwatch for the convoy.

F-15Es executed shows of force in Bagram and Asmar to discourage anti-Afghan forces activity. The visible presence of the aircraft provided an additional level of security for coalition security and reconstruction missions in those areas.

On-scene joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 77 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the 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 Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, 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-six Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three Coalition and Air Force 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 125 airlift sorties were flown, more than 550 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,100 passengers were transported. This included approximately 72,000 pounds of supplies airdropped over Afghanistan.

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

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

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