April 25 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 25 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support:

Shkin
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and a friendly-forces convoy. The aircrews conducted a successful `show of presence.

Asadabad
Air Force B-1B Lancer and F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and friendly-forces convoys while providing armed reconnaissance. When friendly forces reported taking enemy fire from several locations, some reporting heavy machine gunfire, the B-1 aircrew confirmed coordinates of enemy fighting positions and released precision-guided munitions against the targets. The action destroyed the enemy machine gun position and an enemy cave position. The F-15E aircrews targeted another enemy fighting position that was firing against friendly forces and suppressed enemy fire with a well-placed precision-guided munition that destroyed the enemy position.

Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch and close-air support for friendly forces and escorted numerous friendly-forces convoys. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy-forces activity in the area. The show of force was confirmed successful by ground controllers. Later, additional F-16 pilots were in the area when friendly forces reported enemy rocket-propelled-grenade and small-arms fire from several locations. The pilots targeted the enemy positions and released precision-guided munitions, destroying the enemy positions and suppressing enemy fire.

Tarin Kowt
Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly. The aircrews conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to deter anti-Afghan activity in the vicinity of friendly forces. Ground controllers confirmed the shows of force were successful when enemy forces dispersed.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided close-air support for friendly forces. The pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, and deterred enemy actions while friendly forces were in the area.

Asmar
F-16 pilots provided armed overwatch of friendly forces. When enemy forces fired against the friendly forces with mortar fire, the pilots released precision-guided munitions destroying the enemy mortar position and ending contact with enemy forces.

Airlift Action

Farah Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew combat-resupply missions in Farah Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 60,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

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

Helmand Province
A C-130 aircrew flew combat-resupply missions in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 26,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Oruzgan Province
A C-130 aircrew flew combat-resupply mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 21,000 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: 43
Sorties flown in Iraq: 26

On April 24:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 170
Short tons of delivered cargo: 989
Passengers: approximately 3,200
Airdropped cargo: approximately 137,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 41
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.8 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 215

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 10 patients
Saves: 3
Assists: 7
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 21
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0