May 3 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 3 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Asadabad
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots strafed enemy positions during an attack against friendly forces and released precision-guided munitions against enemy targets. Ground controllers declared the actions successful.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew and F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces who reported receiving enemy fire. The aircrews observed several enemy positions actively engaged against the friendly forces and released precision-guided munitions, suppressing enemy fire and destroying enemy positions.

Lashkar Gah
Air Force MQ-1B Predator operators provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The operators conducted reconnaissance for suspicious activity then observed and confirmed a threat to friendly forces. They released a missile against an enemy vehicle to eliminate the threat. On-scene joint terminal attack controllers declared the action successful.

Qal-E-Naw
B-1B and coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy and friendly-forces patrol. The aircrews conducted a show of force and a show of presence, with flares launched, to deter enemy action after friendly forces reported an attack. Ground controllers declared the actions successful.

Chahar Bagh
Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots and F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aviators conducted shows of force, which were determined successful by ground controllers.

Asmar
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces who reported an enemy engagement. The aircrews released precision-guided munitions, destroying enemy positions, which allowed friendly forces to break contact with enemy attackers. Ground controllers confirmed the aircrew's actions were successful.

Ghazni
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force and show of presence to deter enemy activity. The show of force and show of presence were declared successful by ground controllers.

Qarah Bagh
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces convoys. The aircrews conducted a show of presence. Ground controllers determined the show of presence was successful.

Konduz
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force to deter enemy action. JTACs reported the show of force was successful.

Malek Din
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity. JTACs determined the show of force was successful.

Landar
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force to break enemy contact with friendly forces. JTACs declared the show of force was successful.

Shurakian
Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces patrol. The aircrews conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity at a possible ambush site. The show of force was declared successful by ground controllers.

Kandahar
F/A-18C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy action. Ground controllers reported the show of force as successful.

Airlift Action

Oruzgan Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 71,000 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: 71
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 26

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 34
Sorties flown in Iraq: 27

On May 2:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 175
Short tons of delivered cargo: 609
Passengers: approximately 5,100
Airdropped cargo: approximately 71,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 51
Fuel delivered: approximately 3.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 237

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 7 patients
Saves: 2
Assists: 4
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 1
Sorties flown to support OEF: 12
Sorties flown to support OIF: 3