May 15 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Asadabad
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch and close air support for friendly forces and a friendly forces patrol throughout the day. Friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire and aircrews observed enemy positions actively engaged against friendly forces. Pilots released precision-guided munitions, destroying the enemy positions. Joint terminal attack controllers declared the actions successful.

Balocan
Throughout the day, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and an extraction operation. A-10 pilots released a precision-guided munition to destroy an enemy vehicle. Later, pilots conducted a show of force during a military extraction operation to deter enemy activity. F/A-18E aircrews made strafing runs against enemy positions when friendly forces came under enemy fire. The enemy fire ceased. All actions were declared successful by joint terminal attack controllers.
Surkhabad
 A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy activity after friendly forces reported an attack. Ground controllers declared the action successful.

Konduz
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares, to deter anti-Afghan forces. The show of force was determined successful by ground controllers.

Asmar
F-15-E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces, a medevac operation and a friendly forces convoy that encountered an improvised explosive device. Pilots released a precision-guided munition, neutralizing an enemy position firing against friendly forces. Ground controllers declared the engagement successful.

Soltani
F-16 pilots provided armed overwatch and close air support for a friendly forces patrol. Pilots conducted shows of force, some with flares launched, to deter enemy fire. The pilots also made a staffing run to deter enemy fire.

F/A-18E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews conducted shows of force, which ground controllers declared successful.

Mata Khan
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly force dismounted patrol and medical-evacuation operation. Aircrews conducted shows of force to deter anti-Afghan forces activity. Ground controllers determined the shows of force were successful.

Morghab
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and friendly forces convoy escort. Pilots conducted a show of presence to deter enemy action. Ground controllers reported the show of presence was successful.

Qal-E-Naw
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew and coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and a friendly forces convoy. The aircrews conducted shows of force to deter enemy activity. Ground controllers determined the shows of force were successful.

Airlift Action

Farah Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Farah Province, Afghanistan, delivering 60,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Helmand Province
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrews flew combat-airdrop missions in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 50,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Badghis Province
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, delivering 24,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Day Kundi Province
A C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Day Kundi Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 27,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:
Nothing significant to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 73
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 20

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 49
Sorties flown in Iraq: 25

On May 14:

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 149
Short tons of delivered cargo: 658
Passengers: approximately 2,800
Airdropped cargo: approximately 162,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 46
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.9 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 204

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty Evacuation -- Air Force Rescue Airmen transported 14 patients
Saves: 3
Assists: 11
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 20
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0