March 13 airpower summary: A-10s strike enemy positions

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft responded to a dawn attack against a friendly patrol base near Kashkar Gah, releasing a guided bomb unit-12 on one of several anti-Afghan positions firing into the base. The airstrike combined with howitzer fire from coalition field artillery served to stop the enemy gunfire and relieve the base.

A coalition aircraft conducted strafing attacks on anti-Afghan forces during an engagement in the Shurakian area. The strafes hit an enemy group that had been firing assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenades at a coalition unit.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles used a mix of guided and general-purpose munitions to strike enemy indirect fire positions that were taking shots at a coalition forward base near Worzhanah Kalay. Enemy forces had been periodically firing at the base with rockets and mortars.

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator and an Air Force B-1B Lancer engaged anti-Afghan forces in the vicinity of Bari Kowt, using a Hellfire missile and GBU-38s respectively to strike enemy personnel who were setting up improvised explosive devices. The aircraft engaged their targets after tracking the enemy into the nearby mountains, hitting them in an area where civilians would not be at risk.

An A-10 flew several shows of force and expended flares to stop enemy attacks while providing overwatch to coalition convoys transiting roads through Shurakian and Sangin. The aircraft quickly executed the maneuvers after convoy vehicles started taking automatic weapons and RPG fire.

A coalition aircraft flew a show of force after a coalition ground unit started taking mortar fire from nearby mountains. The aircraft flew the maneuver over a suspected enemy position, causing the mortar fire to cease.

Air Force and coalition aircraft flying overwatch performed shows of force during several convoy operations near Now Zad, Lashkar, Gah and Ghazni. The deterrence the aircraft provided allowed the convoys to continue with their missions, frustrating enemy attempts to stop Afghan and coalition reconstruction and security operations.

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

In total 55 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route controls.

Twenty 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 21 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. 

Thirteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three coalition and Air Force 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 160 airlift sorties were flown, more than 450 tons of cargo was delivered and about 4,100 passengers were transported. 

On March 12, Air Force tanker crews flew 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 263 receiving aircraft.