April 1 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 1 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Musa Qala
Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch and responded to friendly ground forces under attack by enemy forces. The aircrews engaged the enemy with a strafing run that ended hostile action against friendly forces.

Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircrews and Marine AV-8B Harrier pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When enemy fire was directed against the friendly forces, the aircrews and pilots responded with strafing runs against the enemy positions that terminated the enemy fire.

Morghab
A Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrew conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter potential enemy action in the vicinity of the friendly forces. The show of force was declared successful by ground forces.

Asmar
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan forces activity. Ground commanders declared the show of force successful.

Airlift Action

Paktika Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 70,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Oruzgan Province
An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat airdrop mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 35,000 pounds of supplied to friendly forces.

Oruzgan Province
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 36,000 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: 79
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 24

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 40
Sorties flown in Iraq: 26

On March 31:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 185
Short tons of delivered cargo: 1,016
Passengers: approximately 3,900
Airdropped cargo: approximately 140,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 46
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.7 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 228

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 28 patients
Saves: 11
Assists: 17
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 41
Sorties flown to support OIF: 4