May 5 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 5 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Asadabad
Air Force F-15-E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch and close air support for friendly forces. One of the aircrews released a precision-guided munition against an enemy fighting position when suspicious activity indicated an imminent attack on friendly forces. Ground controllers verified strike objectives were met.

Chahar Bagh
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew and U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force, some with flares launched, above a friendly-forces convoy with disabled vehicles to deter potential enemy action. Ground controllers declared the shows of force successful when no enemy activity was observed.

Tirgari
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews observed suspicious activity in the area of friendly forces indicating an attack imminent. Coordinates for a known enemy fighting position were confirmed and the aircrews released precision-guided munitions, destroying the enemy position and enemy equipment. The threat to friendly forces was successfully neutralized.

Shurakian
F/A-18C Hornet pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force that ground controllers determined successful.

Airlift Action

Day Kundi Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Day Kundi Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 68,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Helmand Province
A C-17 aircrew and a C-130 Hercules aircrew flew combat-airdrop missions in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, delivering 48,000 pounds and 15,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Zabul Province
C-130 aircrews flew combat-airdrop missions in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 55,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:
Nothing significant to report today.

Airpower Statistics:

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 77
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 22

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 46
Sorties flown in Iraq: 22

On May 4:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 172
Short tons of delivered cargo: 604
Passengers: approximately 4,000
Airdropped cargo: approximately 187,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 46
Fuel delivered: approximately 3.0 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 239

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 16 patients
Saves: 5
Assists: 9
Other: 2
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 32
Sorties flown to support OIF: 3