March 8 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 8 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support:
Morghab
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch of an enemy compound and several friendly forces convoys, including a medical evacuation operation. During the medical extraction, aircrews conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy aggression. The show of force was deemed successful by completion of mission without incident.

Asmar
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces and a friendly forces convoy. When friendly forces started taking enemy sniper fire, coordinates of the enemy position were passed to the aircrews. Precision-guided munitions were released on the confirmed coordinates and destroyed the enemy position eliminating a threat to friendly forces.

Later, F-15E aircrews continued to provide armed overwatch for friendly forces. When friendly forces came under attack, aircrews released precision-guided munitions to successfully quell enemy aggression and destroy enemy positions.

Musa Qaleh
Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots provided armed overwatch and area surveillance for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy aggression. The show of force was deemed successful by the ground commander.

Bagram
F-15E aircrews provided close air support to a friendly forces convoy. The aircrews conducted a show of force, to deter anti-Afghan forces activity in the vicinity of the convoy, which was declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

Sheykhabad
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. The aircrews conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan forces action in the vicinity of the convoy. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was noted.

Balocan
F/A-18C pilots provided armed overwatch and surveillance 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

Badghis Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 39,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

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

Helmand Province
A C-17 aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 69,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

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

Nimroz Province
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Nimroz Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 30,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:
Nothing significant to report today

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 85
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 26

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 40
Sorties flown in Iraq: 34

On March 07:

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 161
Short tons of delivered cargo: 663
Passengers: approximately 3,400
Airdropped cargo: approximately 205,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 46
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.8 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 254

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 16 patients
Saves: 3
Assists: 12
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 1
Sorties flown to support OEF: 15
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0