March 23 airpower summary: F-16s keep vigilant

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

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s and guided bomb unit-38s onto an enemy compound and enemy combatant positions in the vicinity of Uruzgan and Garmsir. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the missions successful.

A B-1B dropped GBU-31s onto an enemy bunker and an enemy building in the vicinity of Garmsir. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted shows of force in the areas of Kandahar, Kabul, Lwara, Orgune, Bari Kowt, Kabul and Jalalabad. The shows of force were conducted to deter enemy activities against friendly forces. A JTAC confirmed the missions as successful. 

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and dropped general purpose 500-pound bombs onto enemy combatant positions in Bagram. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

A French 2000 Mirage performed a show of force to deter enemy activities against coalition forces near Uruzgan. A JTAC reported the mission as a success.

In total, 40 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAFaircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, a British GR-4 Tornado dropped an enhanced paveway II munition onto an enemy location. The mission was confirmed as successful by a JTAC.

In Baghdad, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted shows of force in order to deter enemy activities. A JTAC declared the missions successful.

A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet performed shows of force in the vicinity of Basrah. The shows of force were performed to deter enemy activities. The missions were reported as successful by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 59 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-four Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, eight Air Force, Navy and RAF 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 144 airlift sorties were flown, 442 tons of cargo delivered and 4,192 passengers were transported. This included approximately 12,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Iraq flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On March 22, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 234 receiving aircraft.