April 24 airpower summary: Pave Hawks key to rescues

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-15E Strike Eagle used a guided bomb unit-38, general purpose 500-pound bombs, and strafing attacks to target an anti-Afghan forces building and enemy personnel in the area. Enemy gunmen had attacked a friendly convoy with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons leading up to the strikes.

Near Morghab, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber dropped a GBU-38 against an enemy force in the open. The bomber engaged after armed enemy personnel were spotted while preparing for an attack.

An F-15E and a coalition aircraft struck a number of anti-Afghan forces fighting positions along hills and in an orchard near Oruzgan after a coalition patrol began taking hostile fire. The jets used a variety of precision munitions and strafing runs to root out the dug in enemy force. An F-15 also flew a show of force to cover coalition maneuvers during the firefight.

In the Gardez area, an F-15E used a show of force to end an enemy ambush. During the ambush, enemy gunmen detonated an improvised explosive device against a friendly convoy and followed up with mortars. The show of force deescalated the violence so that the convoy could withdraw and continue on its mission.

A B-1B flew a show of force when it detected suspicious personnel digging along the sides of a road intersection apparently attempting to emplace improvised explosives. The bomber's maneuver, accompanied with an expenditure of flares, caused the individuals to run away.

Near Sheykhabad, an A-10 performed a show of force, launched flares and conducted overwatch as a coalition patrol recovered a vehicle which became stuck. The convoy had been taking gunfire and RPG shots until the jet arrived and suppressed further enemy action. The A-10 also flew a show of force near a coalition observation post in the area when sentries detected additional enemy personnel.

A B-1B and an A-10 also carried out shows of force near Gereshk and Moqor to deter enemy activity during Afghan and coalition operations in those areas.

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

In total, 56 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 coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 21 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-six Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three Air Force and coalition 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 110 airlift sorties were flown, 360 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,575 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 121,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On April 23, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 204 receiving aircraft.