April 16 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support


Kandahar
Air Force MQ-1 Predator operators provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and released a missile against enemy personnel emplacing an IED.

Bagram
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force, releasing flares, and a show of presence to deter enemy action. The shows of force and show of presence were declared successful when enemy activity stopped.

Konduz
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for an ambushed friendly forces convoy. The aircrews conducted a show of force, releasing flares, followed by multiple strafing runs meeting the ground commander's intent to suppress hostile small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire.

Kandahar
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots conducted shows of force to deter enemy activity. A joint terminal attack controller reported the shows of force as successful.

Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity near friendly forces. A joint terminal attack controller declared the show of force successful.

Konduz
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and conducted a show of presence to reassure friendly forces, followed by a show of force to deter enemy action. A joint terminal attack controller declared the aircrew's actions successful.

Airlift Action

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

Badghis
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 35,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Heart
A C-130 aircrew flew a low-cost, low-altitude airdrop in Heart Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 1,200 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:

Nothing significant to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 67
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 20

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 47
Sorties flown in Iraq: 27

On April 15:

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 179
Short tons of delivered cargo: 805
Passengers: approximately 5,300
Airdropped cargo: approximately 65,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 46
Fuel delivered: approximately 3.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 210

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty Evacuation -- Air Force Rescue Airmen transported 16 patients
Saves: 7
Assists: 9
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 22
Sorties flown to support OIF: 2