March 9 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 9 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support

Musa Qala
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy forces from firing rocket-propelled grenades. The show of force was deemed successful when enemy fire ceased.

Asadabad
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided close air support to friendly forces. The pilots were passed coordinates for several enemy positions firing against friendly forces. The pilots released precision-guided munitions on the enemy positions to deter enemy aggression and destroy enemy positions. The action was declared successful by ground control.

Asmar
F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy caught in an ambush. The pilots released a precision-guided munition against an enemy fighting position that destroyed it and eliminated the threat to friendly forces.

Later, F-16C pilots continued to provide armed overwatch for friendly forces. When an imminent attack on friendly forces developed, pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy aggression. The show of force was successful as no enemy action as noted.

Konduz
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews released a precision-guided munition against an enemy vehicle to prevent an engagement against friendly forces.

Farah
A-10 pilots provided close air support to friendly forces following the detonation of an improvised-explosive device. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter anti-Afghan forces activity in the vicinity of the blast. The show of force was declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

Chahar Bagh
Navy F/A-18C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy action in the area. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was noted.

Sar Banader
F/A-18C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched. The show of force was deemed successful when pilots met the ground commander's intent.

Airlift Action

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

Oruzgan Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 71,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

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

Air Operations in Iraq:
There was nothing significant to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 81
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 20

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 35
Sorties flown in Iraq: 18

On March 08:

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 168
Short tons of delivered cargo: 858
Passengers: approximately 4,100
Airdropped cargo: approximately 135,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 45
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.9 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 267

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 10 patients
Saves: 2
Assists: 8
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 11
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0