March 8 airpower summary: Shows of force deter enemy

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Mar. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a general-purpose 500-pound bomb and fired cannon rounds onto enemy positions in the vicinity of Nangalam. The joint terminal attack controller declared the mission a success.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s and GBU-38s onto enemy positions in Qalat. The targets destroyed included a weapons cache, an enemy vehicle, and enemy combatant fighting positions. The mission was reported a success by the JTAC.

Shows of force were conducted by A-10s in the areas of Kabul and Bari Kowt. The shows of force were performed in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces. The JTAC confirmed the missions as successful.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force to deter enemy activities against coalition forces. The shows of force were performed in Lwara and Bermel. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.

A show of force was conducted by an F-15E in order to deter enemy activities against a coalition forces convoy in the vicinity of Bari Kowt. The 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 surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a GBU-38 onto a location containing enemy munitions in the vicinity of Basrah. The mission was confirmed as successful by the JTAC.

An F-16 dropped a GBU-38 onto enemy combatants in the vicinity of Baqubah. The JTAC declared the mission a success.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 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-six Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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

Approximately 152 airlift sorties were flown, 737 tons of cargo delivered and 3,463 passengers were transported. This included approximately 29,100 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Mar. 7, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 277 receiving aircraft.