Feb. 23 airpower summary: A-10s provide air cover

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets spotted enemy personnel trying to plant an improvised explosive device in the path of an approaching coalition patrol. The individuals tried to flee on a motorbike but were caught by the jets' strafing attacks, which disabled the bike. The enemy personnel continued to try to escape on foot until they were apprehended by coalition soldiers.

Near Gereshk, Navy F/A-18E and 18F Super Hornets supported a combined Afghan National Army and coalition ground force raid on several enemy compounds. Using a series of precision guided bomb unit-38 strikes to augment ground attacks, the aircraft destroyed several enemy facilities and fighting positions, including a sizeable weapons cache. Sixteen enemy fighters were killed during the engagement, with three Taliban commanders among them. Key to the combined operations' success was the presence of ground observers who pinpointed targets and verified that civilians were not present in the targeted area.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided air cover during an engagement at the request of a coalition convoy taking fire from anti-Afghan fighting positions outside Nangalam. The A-10s engaged, rolling in with 30mm cannon strafes to destroy the fortifications, freeing up the convoy to safely complete its mission.

Over Kandahar, a Super Hornet flew a show of force and expended flares to suppress enemy fire as coalition troops engaged anti-Afghan forces on the streets below. The maneuver was successful, prompting the enemy to cease fire and withdraw.

Coalition aircraft executed shows of force in the vicinity of several Afghan cities and towns including Sangin, Soltani, Garmser, Murgab and Ghazni. The maneuvers provided an air power presence and deterred enemy activities in those areas, contributing to successful and unhindered coalition and Afghan National Army operations.

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

In total, 75 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Thirteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16CJ Fighting Falcons used GBU-38s to destroy a staging area used by insurgents to launch terrorist operations. The loss of the facility reduced the insurgents' ability to operate within the province.

Near Ba'qubah several Fighting Falcons conducted several strikes using GBU-38s and GBU-54s while providing air cover for a coalition raid on an enemy compound suspected as a source of recent terrorist activity. Coalition ground forces attempted to enter the compound to conduct a search, but pulled back when gunmen barricaded inside the buildings opened fire. After an F-16CJ's show of force did not persuade the occupants to surrender, the jets released several weapons to destroy the buildings.

An F-16CJ flew another show of force near Ba'qubah after a coalition patrol spotted individuals apparently setting up a roadside bomb. To prevent risk to civilian personnel the aircraft performed the maneuver instead of dropping weapons, then assisted ground forces with tracking the individuals.

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

Coalition aircraft flew 28 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-nine Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two 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 130 airlift sorties were flown, more than 450 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,900 passengers were transported. This included approximately 15,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Feb. 22, Air Force tanker crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.