US Airpower Summary, April 15, 2009: A-10 Suppresses Hostile Fire

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II returns to the fight after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan. The A-10 is deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, April 15, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew shows of force in the Konduz area. The aircraft performed the maneuver to suppress hostile fire coming from the area around a coalition forward base.

An F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force near Lashkar Gah. The maneuver prevented enemy activity while a coalition convoy transited the area.

Near Tarin Kowt, a coalition aircraft also performed a show of force over a suspected enemy position. A ground forces commander called for the flyover then had the aircraft monitor the location to locate enemy personnel withdrawing from the area.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 53 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Five 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, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon used guided bomb unit-31s to destroy a terrorist bunker near Ba'qubah. The strike was part of a coordinated counterterrorist effort between Iraqi Security Forces and coalition troops.

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.

Thirty-one Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq.

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 120 airlift sorties were flown, 425 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,800 passengers were transported. This included approximately 142,400 tons of aerial resupply dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On April 13, Air Force tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.4 million pounds of fuel to 170 receiving aircraft.

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

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