April 18 airpower summary: A-10s protect coalition forces

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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 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and an A-10 Thunderbolt II near Nangalam hit an enemy cave and several heavy machinegun emplacements using guided bomb unit-31s and -38s as well as a general purpose 500-pound bomb. The strikes were coordinated between Air Force units and an Army Apache attack helicopter unit that had received fire from the area.

Near Balocan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber dropped GBU-38s against a mortar site after anti-Afghan forces shelled coalition positions. The strike ended the enemy mortar fire. The same enemy positions had also been firing rocket-propelled grenades and assault weapons at coalition personnel.

An Air Force A-10 targeted several armed enemy personnel using general purpose 500-pound bombs outside a coalition forward base near Asmar. Base defenders were being engaged by enemy fire until the fighter ended the attack.

F-15Es and A-10s near Morghab conducted numerous shows of force, launching flares, after coalition dismounted patrols started taking small-arms and RPG fire. The shows of force suppressed enemy fire allowing friendly forces to maneuver out of the targeted area.

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

In total, 57 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 20 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.

Eighteen Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance 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 140 airlift sorties were flown, 330 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,800 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 131,200 tons of aerial resupply dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On April 17, U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 36 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 189 receiving aircraft.