May 1 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 1, 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 coalition forces. They reported taking enemy small-arms fire and confirmed coordinates of enemy fighting positions. The aircrews released precision-guided munitions against the enemy targets, neutralizing them and stopping enemy fire. Aircrews also conducted a strafing run, followed by a show of force to deter any further enemy activity. Ground controllers declared all actions successful. 

Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots were also in the area providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. After the pilots conducted a show of presence they were directed to another area where friendly forces were taking enemy fire. The pilots released precision-guided munitions against the enemy position, terminating enemy aggression.

Gereshk
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire, the pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity.

Bagram
F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy. Pilots conducted shows of force and presence while in the area. Joint terminal attack controllers declared the actions successful.

Asmar
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces. Ground forces reported taking enemy heavy machine gun fire from multiple locations. Locations were positively identified and aircrews released precision-guided munitions against enemy fighting positions, destroying them and stopping enemy fire. Ground controllers declared all actions successful.

Later, F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy activity in the area. On-scene joint terminal attack controllers declared the show of force successful.

Almar
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for coalition forces and a friendly-forces convoy. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, that ground controllers declared successful.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy. The aircrew conducted a show of presence over the convoy, which was declared successful.

Ghazni
F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy that had encountered an improvised explosive device and enemy rocket-propelled grenades. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy action. The show of force was confirmed successful by ground controllers.

Chahar Bagh
Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews and F/A-18C Hornet pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces. The aircrews and pilots conducted shows of force to deter enemy action. Ground controllers determined the shows of force were successful.

Soltani
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy action. JTACs declared the action successful.

A-10 pilots provided close-air support and armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of presence. They followed up with shows of force, with flares launched, that allowed friendly forces to break contact with enemy forces. The actions were confirmed successful by ground controllers.

Malek Din
Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force to deter any enemy forces left in the area from engaging friendly forces. The show of force, with flares launched, was declared successful by ground controllers.

Ali Kheyl
F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy action during a friendly forces operation. Ground controllers reported the show of force as successful.

Abu Kala
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, in the area and JTACs declared them successful.

Airlift Action

Farah Province
An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Farah Province, Afghanistan, delivering 30,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

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

Kandahar Province
A C-17 aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 70,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Paktika Province
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 33,000 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: 85
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 20

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 45
Sorties flown in Iraq: 22

On April 30:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 168
Short tons of delivered cargo: 864
Passengers: approximately 4,200
Airdropped cargo: approximately 193,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 47
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.6 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 202

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 19 patients
Saves: 3
Assists: 16
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 28
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0