April 10 airpower summary: B-1B takes out precision target

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flying overwatch for a dismounted coalition patrol hit an enemy cave complex with guided bomb unit-31s. The strikes, which collapsed the cave entrances on top of anti-Afghan fighting positions inside, were conducted in response to gunfire coming from the position. An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II also executed a show of force and launched flares during the engagement to suppress sniper fire coming from a nearby location.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used GBU-38s to precisely target a building and a wall in a Kajaki Dam area compound. The structures were being used as improvised bunkers by anti-Afghan gunmen who were firing on coalition units.

Near Nangalam, an A-10 providing aerial cover to a coalition ground unit used smoke rounds to mark an enemy position during a brief firefight. Enemy forces ceased fire and retreated after their position was marked. A short time later, an F-15E hit the enemy group with a GBU-31 while they were trying to escape through the mountains.

A Strike Eagle performed a show of force near Lashkar Gah to suppress enemy forces as a coalition patrol moved towards the enemy position. The fighter followed up with a second show of force to aid the patrol in moving into the compound. 

A Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier flew a show of force during an explosive ordnance disposal operation near Lashkar Gah. The flyover deterred anti-Afghan force activity so that bomb squad technicians could remove an explosive threat without enemy interference. Nearby, a ground patrol called in a coalition aircraft to fly several shows of force while the patrol was under attack.

An A-10 conducted a show of force and launched flares near Bagram to deter enemy activity near a coalition forward base. Coalition sentries had detected enemy personnel outside the perimeter readying for an attack.

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.

Five 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, a Marine F/A-18A Hornet executed a show of force as a warning to individuals engaged in suspicious activity along a road near Al Assad. The maneuver caused the group to leave the area.

Coalition aircraft flew 27 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-eight 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 140 airlift sorties were flown, 375 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,800 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 60,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On April 9, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 257 receiving aircraft.