April 11 airpower: C-130s support forward deployed units

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for April 11.

In Afghanistan April 10, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided a show of force, releasing multiple flares, in support of a coalition convoy near Kalan. As the convoy arrived at an area that could have been used by enemy personnel as an ambush point, the joint terminal attack controller requested the show of force as a precaution to prevent any attacks on the convoy.

To meet the objectives of a coalition ground commander, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet dropped a guided bomb unit-12 on an insurgent vehicle known to be delivering ammunition to various anti-coalition militia firing locations near Sangin. A JTAC aligned with the coalition ground forces confirmed the weapon successfully hit the target and caused multiple secondary explosions.

Another F/A-18 dropped a GBU-12 on a building being used by insurgents near Sangin. A JTAC reported the weapon hit the desired target. The F/A-18 also conducted reconnaissance of suspected rocket propelled grenade launch positions nearby.

Also near Sangin, other F/A-18s dropped GBU-12s on a building being used by insurgents as a suspected firing position. A JTAC confirmed the weapons hit the target. The F/A-18s then released cannon rounds on the building after the JTAC identified insurgents remaining in the partially destroyed building. The cannon rounds were reported to hit the desired target.

At the request of a coalition ground commander, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier provided a show of force to deter the enemy from potentially ambushing a coalition convoy after it struck an improvised explosive device near Sangin. No further attacks were reported on the convoy following the show of force.

A French Mirage 2000 provided a show of force over a house on a ridgeline near Pashshad. A JTAC reported it as successful.

In total, 48 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, at the request of a coalition ground commander, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided shows of force for coalition forces receiving sniper and small arms fire near Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed the shows of force as successful and reported no further attacks. The F-16s also performed a counter-IED mission over a nearby route.

Another F-16 provided a show of force for coalition ground forces receiving small arms fire near Baghdad. A JTAC determined it to be successful and reported no additional attacks. The F-16 also performed a counter-IED mission and provided overwatch for a coalition patrol in the area.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided shows of force, releasing multiple flares, for an extensive clearing operation in Ba'qubah City. No attacks were reported during the operation.

F-16s provided overwatch while coalition ground forces performed a raid on a building near Bayji.

More F-16s were assigned counter-IED missions along a route near Baghdad. The F-16s then conducted armed overwatch of coalition ground forces taking small arms and RPG fire.

Also in Baghdad, F/A-18s conducted reconnaissance for suspicious activity near an IED site. The F/A-18 pilots observed approximately 12 personnel in the vicinity of a recent IED site and passed this information to a JTAC, who replied the coalition ground commander would investigate the situation.

RAF GR-4 Tornados provided surveillance of a building suspected to be used by the enemy and under consideration for an air strike near Baghdad. The GR-4 pilots also searched for suspicious activity near a coalition forces' position in the same area.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 56 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.

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

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew approximately 150 airlift sorties, delivered nearly 400 tons of cargo, and transported approximately 1,635 passengers.

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

On April 9, Air Force, RAF and French aerial refueling crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded nearly 2.6 million pounds of fuel.