April 2 airpower: C-17s provide global airlift support

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for April 2. 

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer responded to a coalition convoy stuck in the river that was taking small-arms fire near Qalet.

An on-scene joint terminal attack controller passed coordinates for targets described as personnel in vehicles who were firing on the coalition convoy. The B-1B released guided bomb unit-38s on the targets. Both the aircrew and a JTAC observed good weapon impacts.

The B-1B also performed a show of presence in the area, followed by a show of force and released flares to bring insurgents out of hiding. Both the show of presence and the show of force were reported as successful.

Near Asmar, French Mirage 2000s released GBU-12s on an entrance to a cave where insurgents were located.  There was successful impact.

In a synchronized effort with the French Mirage fighters, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle released a GBU-12 on the insurgent cave near Asmar.

In total, 32 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons released GBU-38s on a known IED trigger house near Baghdad.  A JTAC confirmed good hits and that the Joint Direct Attack Munitions completely destroyed the building.

More F-16s provided overwatch for a meeting near Tel Afar. The F-16s performed shows of force to disperse a large group of people gathering in the area.

Near Bayji, F-16s were on scene. The aircrews provided a show of force while communicating with a JTAC during a medical evacuation of a wounded soldier by coalition forces. The F-16s also conducted counter-improvised explosive device missions in the area.

In the vicinity of Al Jazirah, F-16s were assigned to work with a JTAC to follow a truck driving in the area with no evidence of purpose. The truck stopped moving when helicopter gunships in the area fired in front of it. The personnel in the truck were apprehended by a coalition ground crew.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets conducted air reconnaissance to locate where enemy small-arms fire was coming from in Basrah. The F/A-18s located three suspicious individuals heading away from the small-arms fire and entering a building in the area. They reported the information to a JTAC.

In total, 54 close-air-support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

One U.S. Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

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. Nearly 140 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 375 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,310 passengers were transported.

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

On April 1, Air Force, Royal Air Force and French tankers flew 28 sorties and off-loaded more than 1.6 million pounds of fuel which is the equivalent of nearly 50 full Air Force fuel trucks.