March 11 airpower summary: F-15s bomb enemy combatants

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

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb unit-12 onto an enemy firing position in Asadabad. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission a success.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and dropped GBU-12s, GBU-31s, GBU-38s and general-purpose 500-pound bombs onto enemy combatants and enemy buildings in various locations in Sangin. An enemy compound and weapon cache were among the targets destroyed. The mission was confirmed as successful by a JTAC.

In Qalat, a French 2000 Mirage successfully dropped GBU-12s onto enemy locations.

Air Force F-15Es dropped GBU-38s onto enemy combatant locations in the vicinity of Nangalam. A JTAC reported the mission as a success.

A show of force was conducted by a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier. The show of force was conducted over a coalition forces convoy that was temporarily stopped and was performed to deter enemy activities against that convoy. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

In Bermel, shows of force were performed by an A-10 in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in the area. A JTAC confirmed the missions as successful.

In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducted a show of force to deter enemy combatants from traveling near a particular location. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 51 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-eight Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Air Force 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 131 airlift sorties were flown, 480 tons of cargo delivered and 3,673 passengers were transported.

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

On March 10, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 225 receiving aircraft.