June 17 airpower summary: F-15Es deter anti-Afghan forces massing attack

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations June 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, B-1B Lancers conducted strikes over Tarin Kowt, using guided bomb unit-31 and -38s to hit a group of anti-Afghan forces fighting positions in a creek bed, along a ridgeline and in an orchard. Enemy personnel were actively engaging Afghan and coalition troops with assault rifle fire until they were stopped by the strikes.

Near Chahar Bagh, a B-1B dropped a GBU-31 and -38 against anti-Afghan gunmen firing from a building as well as enemy personnel fighting from positions in an orchard. An F-15E Strike Eagle joining the engagement afterward conducted a show of force to deter an enemy counterattack.

A coalition aircraft used a GBU-12 to hit an enemy mortar team in an open field. The mortar team had opened fire against an Afghan and coalition convoy and was tracked to a clear area before they were targeted. The strike took place in the field in order to prevent damage to the civilian home the mortar team had been using as a firing position.
In Asadabad, A-10 Thunderbolts employed a combination of GBU-38s, strafes and 500-pound general purpose bombs against anti-Afghan forces. The fighters used enemy muzzle flashes to help locate some of the enemy shooters, and marked others using smoke rounds to ensure positive target identification.

A Navy F/A-18C Hornet near Lashkar Gah used a GBU-12 to halt fire from armed enemy personnel dug in along a treeline. Enemy personnel were shooting at a coalition unit but were cut short by the bomb's blast. Later, a coalition aircraft carried out a show of force to deter further enemy aggression and helped ground forces locate improvised explosives anti-Afghan forces had placed along a civilian highway.

A Strike Eagle flying near Kabul was called in for an airstrike against multiple enemy personnel during a firefight there. The jet put GBU-38s directly onto the enemy unit, which had been firing rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, ending their hostilities.

A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet carried out a show of force during an enemy confrontation in Shinkay. Enemy personnel had occupied a village and were shooting at approaching friendly troops from the homes of local residents. After the aircraft appeared, enemy personnel stopped shooting and attempted to flee the area on motorcycles. The jets tracked the riders along their escape route.

Near Qal-E-Naw, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets flew shows of force, expending flares over a built up area in order to suppress enemy fire coming from within. Gunmen had been firing from a local settlement with the apparent intent of drawing fire onto the civilian buildings they were using for cover. Their fire was suppressed by the arrival of the jets, whose demonstrations led enemy personnel to cease fire and withdraw.

An A-10 flew a show of force over Qalat, expending a number of flares, in order to deter enemy aggression. Anti-Afghan forces had been launching mortar attacks from a position within the town at Afghan security forces.

In Abchakan, an F-15E performed a show of force, expending flares, to deter anti-Afghan forces massing for an attack. The maneuver kept enemy personnel from acting and prevented violence from occurring.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 82 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, four coalition and Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Twenty-six Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 100 airlift sorties were flown, 440 tons of cargo were delivered, and about 1,650 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On June 16, HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 12 patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan.

Aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 million pounds of fuel to 205 receiving aircraft.