March 2 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 2 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close-Air Support

Kabul
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Once on station, the aircrews commenced strafing runs against enemy personnel at the request of friendly ground forces under enemy fire. The action by the aircrews, deemed successful, allowed friendly forces to break contact with enemy forces. With no further fire from either side, the aircrews resumed their armed overwatch mission.

Asmar
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots responded to a report of friendly forces taking enemy sniper fire and released a precision-guided munition once coordinates for the enemy firing position were confirmed. Later, a show of force, with flares launched, was conducted to continue deterring enemy fire and was declared successful.

Soltani
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch and then a show of force in support of friendly forces stopped for a town hall meeting. The show of force was declared successful when no enemy contact was made. Aircrews resumed the armed overwatch until the friendly troops left the area.

Chahar Bagh
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Once on station, the pilots conducted shows of presence and shows of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy action. Ground control troops declared the actions successful when no enemy action was noted.

Parmakan
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted multiple shows of force, with flares launched, which were declared successful.

Landar
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch and then conducted a show of force for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol. The show of force was declared successful when no enemy contact was made. The aircrews resumed the armed overwatch until the friendly patrol left the area.

Sangin
Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch then conducted shows of force for friendly forces. The shows of force were declared successful when no enemy contact was made. The aircrews resumed armed overwatch until relieved by other aircraft.

Airlift Action

Herat Province
An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew combat-resupply missions in Herat Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 22,000 pounds of supplies and materials to friendly forces.

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

Air Operations in Iraq:
There was no significant action to report today.

Airlift Action in Iraq
There was no significant action to report today.

Airpower Statistics:

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 76
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 18

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 31
Sorties flown in Iraq: 28

On March 1:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 172
Short tons of delivered cargo: 945
Passengers: approximately 4,300
Airdropped cargo: approximately 57,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 42
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.6 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 218

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 4 patients
Saves: 2
Assists: 2
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 6
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0