April 5 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 5 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Gereshk
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots, coalition aircrews and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch and responded to friendly ground forces under attack by enemy forces. The A-10 pilots made a strafing run, successfully ending enemy fire and one of the coalition aircrews released a missile against enemy forces. In addition F-18E aircrews and A-10 pilots conducted several shows of force, one with flares launched to deter further enemy activity.

Bagram
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and a key leadership engagement in the area. The pilots later conducted a show of force to deter enemy fire on friendly forces. The show of force was declared successful.

Musa Qala
Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force that was declared successful.

Remak
F/A-18E aircrews provided armed overwatch of friendly forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force, with flares launched, which were determined successful by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

Sangin
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces patrol. The aircrew conducted a show of force over enemy forces firing at friendly forces. Ground commanders declared the show of force successful when enemy fire ceased.

Asadabad
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrew conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy action in the vicinity of friendly forces. The show of force was declared successful by ground forces.

Later, additional F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for a dismounted friendly-forces patrol and convoy. The aircrews conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy action. The show of force was successful in meeting the ground commander's intent.

Balocan
Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots conducted shows of force that were declared successful by ground commanders.

Airlift Action

Zabul Province
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrews flew combat airdrop missions in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 34,000 and 30,000 pounds of sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Badghis Province
A C-130 aircrew and a C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew combat-resupply missions in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 30,000 and 60,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Helmand Province
C-130 aircrews flew combat-resupply mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 32,000 and 34,000 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: 81
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 18

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 41
Sorties flown in Iraq: 25

On April 4:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 198
Short tons of delivered cargo: 965
Passengers: approximately 4,300
Airdropped cargo: approximately 220,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 45
Fuel delivered: approximately 3.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 242

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 18 patients
Saves: 10
Assists: 8
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 24
Sorties flown to support OIF: 5