April 12 airpower: aerial porters keep cargo moving

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released this airpower summary April 12. 

In Afghanistan April 11, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s on two buildings from which insurgents were firing at coalition vehicles near Sangin. A joint terminal attack controller aligned with coalition ground forces called in the airstrike and confirmed the weapons successfully hit the target.

JTACs are highly trained Airmen who advise ground commanders on appropriate air power support, relay the ground commander's intent to air power assets overhead and communicate with aircrews for precision engagement.

Other F-15Es dropped GBU-38s on insurgents who were firing small arms and rocket propelled grenades on coalition forces from a tree line near Sangin. After directing the airstrike per the coalition ground commander's request, the JTAC reported the weapons hit the desired target with successful effects.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer provided reconnaissance of insurgent movement and suspicious activity near Asadabad.

In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seven Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.  Additionally, four Navy and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided overwatch for coalition Army engineers near Baghdad. The F-16s also performed a counter-IED mission over nearby routes and looked for enemy mortar activity.

Other F-16s conducted overwatch of a possible sniper position near Baqubah. The pilots also performed a counter-IED mission on multiple nearby routes.

Near Balad, F-16 pilots looked for a possible IED triggerman as requested by a coalition forces ground commander through a JTAC. A counter-IED mission also was performed by the F-16s along multiple routes to allow for safe passage of coalition convoys. 

In total, coalition aircraft flew 36 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch of reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twelve Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, five Air Force, Navy and RAF fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 440 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,065 passengers were transported.

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

On April 10, Air Force, RAF and French aerial refueling crews flew 47 sorties and off-loaded nearly 2.8 million pounds of fuel.