March 31 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 31 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Konduz
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch and responded to friendly ground forces under attack by enemy forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force to mark an area for strafing runs, made several strafing runs that ended enemy fire and conducted another show of force to ensure no further enemy fire occurred. All actions were successful in meeting ground control intent.

Bagram
Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy activity. The shows of force were declared successful.

Gereshk
F/A-18F aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy activity against friendly forces. The show of force was declared successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch of friendly forces, replacing the U.S. Navy aircraft. When enemy firing positions were confirmed, the pilots made strafing runs and the enemy fire ceased. The engagement was declared successful.

Surkhabad
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch of friendly forces. The pilots released precision-guided munitions against insurgent bunkers where enemy forces were firing at friendly ground forces. The munitions were followed by strafing runs to ensure enemy fire ceased. No further enemy action was noted.

Langar
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter hostile activity while friendly forces cleared an enemy weapons cache. Ground commanders declared the show of force successful.

Qal-E-Naw
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy operation. The aircrew conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy action in the vicinity of the convoy. The show of force was declared successful by ground forces.

Lashkar Gah
F/A-18F aircrews conducted a show of force that was declared successful by ground commanders.

Asmar
F-16C pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy movement in the vicinity of friendly forces. The show of force was declared successful and the desired effects achieved when no enemy movement was noted.

Airlift Action

Badghis Province
An. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 35,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Konar Province
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat airdrop mission in Konar Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 30,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Helmand Province
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 34,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:

Balad
F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch over the city for a friendly-forces convoy. The pilots conducted a show of force that met the needs of ground commanders and was declared successful.

Airpower Statistics:

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 75
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 26

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 40
Sorties flown in Iraq: 28

On March 30:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 176
Short tons of delivered cargo: 1,095
Passengers: approximately 3,700
Airdropped cargo: approximately 100,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 48
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.8 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 240

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 18 patients
Saves: 11
Assists: 7
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 31
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0