April 3 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 3 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Lashkar Gah
Air Force MQ-9A Reaper operators provided armed overwatch and area reconnaissance for friendly forces. When enemy forces were observed emplacing improvised explosive devices, operators fired a missile eliminating a threat to friendly forces and the local population.

Ali Kheyl
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and friendly-forces convoys. The aircrews conducted a show of presence over a convoy with a disabled vehicle. Later, aircrews conducted shows of force to deter potential enemy activity in the area of friendly forces. Ground commanders declared the shows of force and presence successful.

Abchakan
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch and close air support for friendly forces, friendly-forces convoys and a dismounted friendly-forces patrol. The pilots conducted a show of force when a friendly-forces convoy reported an improvised explosive device. The show of force deterred enemy action. The pilots also conducted a show of presence, with flares launched, to reassure the friendly forces air power was still in the area.

Chahar Bagh
Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity. Ground commanders declared the show of force successful.

Airlift Action

Helmand Province
An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat supply mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 32,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces in the field.

Kandahar Province
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat airdrop mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 34,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Oruzgan Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat airdrop mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 71,000 pounds of 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: 74
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 22

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 46
Sorties flown in Iraq: 29

On April 2:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 206
Short tons of delivered cargo: 1,033
Passengers: approximately 5,000
Airdropped cargo: approximately 138,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 40
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.4 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 160

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 4 patients
Saves: 2
Assists: 2
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 12
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0