Feb. 24 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 24 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close-Air Support

Balocan
Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a strafing run against enemy forces setting an improvised explosive device on the side of a road, successfully eliminating a threat to friendly forces.

Oruzgan
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force in support of a friendly-forces ground operation. The shows of force were declared successful when enemy action ceased.

Sangin
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and escorted a convoy to its destination. The pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to support friendly forces taking enemy fire. The shows of force were deemed successful when the enemy fire ceased.

Qalat
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. Aircrews conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy activity in the area. The show of force was declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

Salerno
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch for a resupply mission and friendly ground forces searching for a suspected IED and weapons cache. The pilots conducted shows of force to deter possible enemy attacks. The shows of force were declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

Airlift Action

Farah Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Farah Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 60,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces to sustain ground operations.

Oruzgan Province
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrews flew a combat-resupply mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 27,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Airlift Action

Iraq
An Air Force C-130 aircrew distributed informational leaflets via airdrop to locations across Iraq.

Airpower Statistics:

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and  Afghan security forces: 85
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 22

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 33
Sorties flown in Iraq: 32

On Feb. 23:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 145
Short tons of delivered cargo: 891
Passengers: nearly 2,600
Airdropped cargo: approximately 90,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 41
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.9 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 220

Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk aircrews and pararescue Airmen transported 6 patients
Sorties flown to support OEF: 6
Sorties flown to support OIF: 1
Personnel Recovery/Hero Flight: NONE