April 25 airpower summary: C-17s helping to sustain fight

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an A-10 Thunderbolt II strafed an enemy truck carrying a twin-barreled anti-aircraft gun using its 30mm Avenger cannon. The vehicle and the anti-aircraft gun were destroyed.

In the vicinity of Kajaki Dam, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets dropped guided bomb unit-38s on anti-Afghan forces fighting positions inside residential compounds. Enemy gunmen had taken cover in the compounds, opening fire on a friendly ground unit with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. After the strikes destroyed some of the enemy force, ground observers noted that other gunmen were still in the area and requested that the Super Hornets fly a show of force. The jets did, and the remaining enemy personnel dispersed from the area.

A coalition unit moving through Oruzgan started taking small-arms fire, prompting an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and a Navy Super Hornet to strike enemy fighting positions with guided bomb unit-31 and -38s. The Super Hornet also flew a show of force as enemy personnel attempted to regroup, causing the remaining gunmen to flee in disorder.

Near Morghab, an F-15E hit an enemy position on a ridgeline using a GBU-31. The strike occurred after enemy shooters in the position took shots and fired RPGs at a coalition convoy.

In Lashkar Gah, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet flew a show of force over an area commonly used by enemy personnel to stage attacks. The show of force preemptively suppressed enemy activity as a nearby coalition patrol performed a security sweep of the area.

A Navy F/A-18C Hornet over Sangin performed a show of force after suspicious persons were seen walking back and forth along the side of a commonly used route. The maneuver caused the individuals to run away. A follow up check of the site revealed an improvised explosive device, which was cleared by emergency ordnance disposal techs without incident as the Hornet provided overhead cover.

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

In total, 72 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 32 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

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

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown, 550 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,050 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 47,300 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On April 24, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 37 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 163 receiving aircraft.