April 9 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 9 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan


Close-Air Support

Asadabad
Air Force F-15-E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly and coalition ground forces. The coalition forces reported taking enemy small-arms fire while egressing from the area. The aircrews released precision-guided munitions against the enemy position to break hostile contact and achieved the ground commanders' intent.

Sheykhabad
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol, a medical-evacuation helicopter mission and friendly forces supporting a key-leadership engagement. When indirect fire was reported at the key leadership engagement, shows of presence and a show of force were conducted to deter any further enemy action. The action was declared successful when no further enemy fire was noted.

F-15-E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces supporting a key-leadership engagement. When mortar fire was reported at the key-leadership engagement, a show of presence, with flares launched, and a show of force were conducted to deter enemy action. The action was declared successful when no further enemy fire was noted.

Tani
F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy small-arms fire during friendly forces live-fire training. The show of force was reported successful by ground control.

Bagram
F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch friendly ground forces. The pilots conducted shows of force to deter enemy fire in the area. The shows of force were declared successful by ground controllers.

Balocan
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces operation. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy action in the area. The show of force, with flares launched, was determined successful.

Airlift Action

Zabul Province
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrews flew combat airdrop missions in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, delivering 30,000 pounds and 35,000of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Oruzgan Province
A C-130 aircrew flew combat-resupply missions in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, airdropping 35,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Helmand Province, RC-S
A C-130 aircrew flew combat-resupply missions in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 35,000 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: 64
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 22

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 43
Sorties flown in Iraq: 31

On April 8:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 180
Short tons of delivered cargo: 675
Passengers: approximately 3,600
Airdropped cargo: approximately 135,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 39
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.7 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 216

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 7 patients
Saves: 3
Assists: 4
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 18
Sorties flown to support OIF: 2