April 5 airpower summary: F-15Es deter enemy

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

In Afghanistan, a B-1B Lancer destroyed an anti-Afghan pillbox near Musa Qala using a guided bomb unit-31. The strike took place following an exchange of gunfire between enemy gunmen and coalition troops.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flew shows of force over Kunduz, expending flares, providing a visible deterrent to enemy forces. The action succeeded in forcing the enemy to suppress their fire against friendly units. The aircraft remained in the area to provide overwatch.

Near Kandahar, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets provided shows of force to disperse enemy personnel. The jets' flyover caused enemy forces to take cover, allowing coalition units freedom to maneuver against the enemy force.

Navy and Air Force aircraft conducted several shows of force and expended flares near Musa Qala, Gereshk and Konduz in order to deter anti-Afghan activity. The shows of force, conducted near friendly positions and suspected enemy sites, kept enemy forces from carrying out attacks as coalition units performed security and reconstruction missions.

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

In total, 67 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Six 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, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons used GBU-38s and GBU-12s to destroy a complex of six buildings that insurgents had rigged with explosives. The strikes safely ended the threat the booby trapped structures posed to local residents as well as Iraqi and coalition units in the area.

Coalition aircraft flew 23 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-five 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, 475 tons of cargo were delivered and about 1,700 passengers were transported.

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

On April 4, Air Force tanker crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 246 receiving aircraft.