May 4 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 4 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Sar Banader
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and a friendly-forces convoy; and conducted aerial surveillance for suspicious activity. The aircrew conducted a show of presence over the convoy . When an enemy weapons cache location was confirmed, the aircrew released precision-guided munitions against the coordinates destroying the cache. Ground controllers verified the strike objectives were met.

A B-1B aircrew, A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots and U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and conducted aerial surveillance for suspicious activity. Friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire. The aircrews and pilots released precision-guided munitions and conducted strafing runs against enemy fighting positions, an enemy vehicle, a mortar position and an enemy weapons cache. Ground controllers and joint terminal attack controllers reported all objectives were met.

Shahidan
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and helicopter crews conducting medical evacuations. The aircrews conducted a show of force above friendly ground forces to deter potential enemy action. Later, when friendly forces came under attack, the aircrews released precision-guided munitions, destroying an enemy fighting position. Ground controllers verified the threat was eliminated.

Bastion
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy activity. On-scene JTACs declared the shows of force successful.

Lashkar Gah
Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force that was determined successful by ground controllers.

Surkhabad
F/A-18F aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force and a show of presence. Ground controllers confirmed all actions were successful.

Mata Khan
F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces. They conducted shows of presence that ground controllers reported were successful.

Asadabad,
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When friendly forces reported sustained enemy fire, the aircrews released precision-guided munitions against a confirmed enemy fighting position. Ground controllers reported the enemy fire was suppressed and the fighting position destroyed.

Jalalabad
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and conducted shows of force, with flares launched, when Afghan National Police reported taking small-arms fire. Ground controllers declared the shows of force successful when hostile fire was suppressed.

Shurakian
F/A-18F aircrews and F/A-18C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force, with flares launched, that ground controllers determined were successful.

Asmar
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near a disabled vehicle. The aircrews conducted shows of force to deter enemy activity. Ground controllers reported the shows of force were successful.

Qalat
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and conducted a show of force that ground controllers determined was successful.

Tirgari
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force to deter enemy action. The show of force was declared successful by ground controllers.

Airlift Action
Nothing significant to report today.

Air Operations in Iraq:
Nothing significant to report today.

Airpower Statistics:

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 75
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 24

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 34
Sorties flown in Iraq: 24

On May 3:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 170
Short tons of delivered cargo: 744
Passengers: approximately 3,800
Airdropped cargo: 0 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 50
Fuel delivered: approximately 3.0 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 216

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 28 patients
Saves: 8
Assists: 19
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 1
Sorties flown to support OEF: 52
Sorties flown to support OIF: 2