April 8 airpower: B-1B bombs insurgents

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  In Afghanistan April 7, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s on insurgents firing small arms and rocket propelled grenades at coalition forces near Asadabad. A joint terminal attack controller confirmed the weapons hit the target and ended the engagement.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a GBU-38 and a GBU-39 on an insurgent hideout near Asadabad. The hideout was reported as completely destroyed.

One of two U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets dropped a GBU-12 on insurgents in a treeline near Sangin. A JTAC confirmed the weapon hit the desired target.

Other F/A-18s dropped GBU-38s on an insurgent mortar position near Sangin. A JTAC confirmed weapon hit the desired target.

In total, 48 close-air-support missions were flown in support of Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops.

Nine Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq, an MQ-1B Predator fired a Hellfire missile at armed militia men firing rocket propelled grenades near Diwaniyah. Iraqi Army and coalition personnel were informed by local Iraqi residents, through a tip line, of militia men employing RPGs in the area. The Iraqi Army made a positive identification of the militia men and called for the air strike.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 48 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Additionally, 17 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Air Force and Navy fighter aircraft performed in a non-traditional ISR role with electro-optical and infrared sensors.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew about 142 airlift sorties, delivered more than 595 tons of cargo and transported approximately 1,980 passengers.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Canada flew in support of OIF or OEF.

Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 43 sorties and off-loaded nearly 2.7 million pounds of fuel.