April 4 airpower summary: Reapers target enemy forces

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a B-1B Lancer dropped a number of guided bomb unit-38s and -31s, targeting a concentration of enemy personnel in buildings near Kajaki Dam. The bombs leveled several structures being used as anti-Afghan force bases of operations and knocked out a number of fighting positions which were firing on coalition troops. 

An Air Force MQ-1B Predator hit another group of enemy gunmen with a Hellfire missile, killing two and wounding one other.

Near Qalat, anti-Afghan forces shooters on motorbikes attempted a "hit and run" shooting at a coalition patrol, failing to realize an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft was in the area monitoring the operation. 

After the UA tracked the enemy personnel back to their base in a nearby cave, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle arrived and destroyed the cave complex using GBU-31s and a GBU-38. The Reaper itself destroyed the enemy's motorcycles using a GBU-12 then hit several enemy fighters in the open using a GBU-38. 

Navy F/A-18-E and -F Super Hornets also joined the engagement, contributing another GBU-38 strike and conducting shows of force to suppress enemy fire as coalition ground units arrived and assaulted the enemy's remaining positions.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force and expended flares to keep enemy gunmen pinned down while coalition ground troops moved in to take their positions. The A-10s also directly engaged enemy forces in a nearby tree line, putting 30mm Avenger autocannon rounds onto anti-Afghan fighting holes. The A-10s used smoke rounds to mark the positions ensuring positive identification of each target.

In a second engagement near Kajaki Dam, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier took out enemy compounds where enemy gunmen and a sniper were holed up and shooting at coalition soldiers. Taking direction from a ground controller observing targets, the Harrier scored direct hits with Paveway precision munitions on each enemy position.

An F-15E targeted enemy personnel in the area using its guns, and dropped a GBU-12 on several enemy shooters clustered together. A Navy F/A-18C Hornet hit enemy buildings and an observation post with GBU-38s. The aircraft also provided tactical overwatch to coalition forces.

In the vicinity of Nangalam, A-10s rolled in after enemy forces engaged a coalition convoy, hunting anti-Afghan heavy machine gun positions with GBU-38s, general-purpose 500-pound bombs, and 30mm guns. 

After destroying several enemy guns and another fighting position, an A-10 flew a show of force and expended flares to deter enemy fighters trying to attack the perimeter of a coalition forward base. F-15Es followed up with additional shows of force, preventing a potential enemy counterattack. 

F/A-18Cs and A-10s were over the Kajaki Dam area for the third time in the day and destroyed enemy improvised explosive device factories with GBU-38s. The jets also struck nearby fighting positions using GBU-12s.

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

In total, 82 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seven Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon used GBU-38s to destroy an insurgent "spider hole" underground bunker which was the source of shooting directed at Iraqi security forces members and coalition ground troops. The bunker was destroyed, alleviating hostile fire and allowing Iraqi security operations to continue.

An F-16 flew a show of force over Baghdad, providing a visible airpower presence as Iraqi and coalition troops patrolled the city streets. The maneuver helped to deter insurgent actions and contributed to preservation of the peace.

Coalition aircraft flew 24 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.

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, 550 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,900 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 18,800 tons of aerial resupply cargo airdropped over Afghanistan.

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

On April 3, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 243 receiving aircraft.