March 30 airpower summary: Predator strikes enemy forces

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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 March 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and an MQ-1 Predator engaged anti-Afghan forces near Nurestan using rockets and strafing fire from the A-10s, and a Hellfire missile from the unmanned aircraft system. The strike took place during a firefight on the ground in which anti-Afghan gunmen hit a coalition patrol with assault weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. The strikes allowed the friendly unit to withdraw and inflicted casualties on the anti-Afghan attackers.

Near Musa Qala, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet used a guided bomb unit-38 to hit an enemy building, taking out an active anti-Afghan fighting position. Enemy gunners had been pouring fire on a coalition convoy after detonating an improvised explosive device to start their ambush. During the engagement, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle also provided a covering show of force, expending flares that allowed coalition forces to move a vehicle that had been disabled by an IED blast.

A coalition aircraft flew a show of force over Shindad after a dismounted coalition patrol started taking enemy automatic weapons fire. The maneuver caused enemy forces to stop firing that allowed the unit to regroup.

In Ghazni and Bagram, A-10s performed shows of force and expended flares to stop indirect fire attacks against coalition forward bases. Enemy forces concealed in populated civilian areas had fired mortars from civilian buildings, prompting the aircraft to use shows of force instead of bombs. The maneuvers successfully ended the enemy attacks.

A Navy F/A-18C Hornet conducted a show of force and expended flares to deter anti-Afghan forces from acting while a coalition convoy tended to a vehicle that was disabled by an IED hit. The convoy was able to get back on the road without enemy interference following the aircraft's demonstration.

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

In total, 79 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eleven Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, four Navy and coalition aircraft provided tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flew a show of force following an insurgent attack against friendly ground forces. The maneuver halted the attack, in which enemy forces employed small arms and mortar fire.

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.

Four Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft provided tactical surveillance and 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 130 airlift sorties were flown, 430 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,900 passengers were transported.

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

On March 29, Air Force tankers flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.