April 23 airpower summary: A-10s thwart attack on convoy

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs operating near Nangalam engaged an anti-Afghan ground force using strafing runs and general purpose 500-pound bombs. Enemy personnel had been gathering for an attack against a coalition forward base and failed to heed a show of force from the aircraft, prompting the jets to fire. The A-10s marked their targets with smoke rounds prior to expending live rounds to ensure the enemy-fighting positions were properly identified and confirmed by ground observers.

In Moqor, A-10s received initial clearance to engage enemy motorcycles in the area of a friendly convoy operation. However, due to concern for civilian residents and buildings in the area, the convoy commander opted to instead have the aircraft fire a warning shot using a smoke round and conduct a show of force. The actions caused the motorcycle riders to drive off without any further escalation.

Near Kandahar, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet carried out a show of force near an Afghan National Army helicopter landing zone after enemy gunmen started shooting assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at Afghan soldiers. The Hornet expended flares over the enemy position, causing the gunmen to cease fire and pull back.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flew a show of force outside Mazar-E Sharif following a firefight in which friendly personnel were attacked by anti-Afghan shooters with automatic weapons, RPGs, and a blast from an improvised explosive device. The Strike Eagle's maneuver, emphasized with an expenditure of flares, quickly ended the hostile fire, allowing the friendly unit to regroup and maneuver.

A-10s executed shows of force when a coalition convoy travelling through Nurestan took sporadic shots from enemy forces hiding amongst civilian homes. The shows of force caused the enemy to stop firing, but avoided the enemy's apparent attempt to draw fire down to endanger local residents. The convoy successfully completed its mission supporting Afghan reconstruction.

Near Bagram, an Air Force F-15E and an A-10 flew shows of force during combined operations with Afghan National Army and coalition forces when friendly convoys encountered enemy IEDs. The aircraft's presence deterred additional anti-Afghan forces aggression while emergency ordinance disposal technicians cleared additional explosives from the roadways.

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

In total, 83 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 18 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-three Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq.

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 140 airlift sorties were flown; 420 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 2,775 passengers were transported. This included approximately 130,600 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On April 22, Air Force tankers flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 251 receiving aircraft.