March 20 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 20 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 conducted shows of force, releasing numerous flares, to support friendly forces receiving small-arms fire from enemy forces. The shows of force were declared successful.

Musa Qalah
Coalition aircrews conducted a show of force and provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Ground commanders declared the show of force successful.

Asmar
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots released precision-guided munitions, neutralizing an enemy position. Ground forces, under attack from the enemy's position, declared the aircrew's action successful.

Additional F-16C pilots conducted armed reconnaissance and a show of force to deter enemy action. Friendly ground forces declared the show of force successful.

Tarin Kowt
Navy F/A- 18 Super Hornet aircrews conducted shows of force, releasing multiple flares, to support friendly forces. Ground commanders declared the shows of force successful.

Bagram
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and conducted a show of force to deter enemy action. Ground commanders declared the show of force successful.

Shahidan
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch to friendly forces. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller requested a show of force to deter enemy action. The aircrews conducted the show of force and the JTAC declared the action was successful.

Kabul
F-16C pilots conducted a show of force demonstration to support a JTAC training course. The show of force was declared successful.

Airlift Action

Farah Province
An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew combat-resupply missions in Farah Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 30,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

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

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

Nimroz Province
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Nimroz Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 24,000 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: 67
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 22

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 39
Sorties flown in Iraq: 26

On March 19:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 204
Short tons of delivered cargo: 976
Passengers: approximately 5,500
Airdropped cargo: approximately 159,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 45
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.6 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 215

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 10 patients
Saves: 4
Assists: 6
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 23
Sorties flown to support OIF: 3