March 22 airpower summary:F-15s suppress enemy fire

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the Interntional Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted a show of force and fired cannon rounds onto an enemy position to suppress fire from enemy combatants near Bagram. Furthermore, F-15Es performed shows of force in the areas of Lwara, Orgune, and Bari Kowt in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces. The missions were declared successful by the joint terminal attack controller.

A MQ-9A Reaper dropped a guided bomb unit-12 onto enemy combatants in the vicinity of Kandahar. The JTAC reported the mission as a success.

In Bari Kowt, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces. The missions here confirmed as successful by the JTAC.

A French air force 2000 Mirage performed a show of force over a coalition convoy to deter enemy activities against the convoy. The JTAC declared the mission as success.
In the areas of Sangin and Orgune, A-10s conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities against coalition forces. The missions were reported as successful by the JTAC.

A B-1B Lancer performed a show of force in the vicinity of Garmsir to deter enemy activities against coalition forces. The JTAC confirmed the mission as uccessful. 

In total, 37 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet dropped a GBU-51 onto an enemy position in the vicinity of Basrah. The mission was declared successful by the JTAC.

A show of force was conducted by a RAF Tornado GR.4. The show of force was performed to deter enemy combatants who were firing upon coalition forces. The mission was reported as successful by the JTAC.

An F-16 Fighting Falcons performed shows of force in Al Kut and Iskandariyah. The JTAC confirmed the missions as successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 65 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-one Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian air force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. 

Additionally, six Air Force, Navy, and RAFaircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 162 airlift sorties were flown, 700 tons of cargo delivered and 3,970 passengers were transported. This included approximately 26,520 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On March 21, Air Force, French and RAF aerial refueling crews flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 238 receiving aircraft.