US Airpower Summary, March 29, 2009: A-10s Show Coalition Power

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 by Airman 1st Class Chad Strohmeyer.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 29, 2009 -- 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.

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

Tags: DOD, Military, War, United States, U.S., al Qaeda, al Qaida, GWOT, terrorism, Taliban, Open Thread, Wire, Headlines, Dispatches from the Front
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Buzz, Tension