March 9 airpower: F-16s provide show of force

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for March 9.

In Afghanistan March 8, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions on an enemy compound near Qurya. A joint terminal attack controller on-scene observed good hits on the compound.

Another B-1B dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on an anti-coalition building and compound near Sangin. Both the flight crew and the JTAC observed good impacts for all weapons released.

A B-1B provided a show of force during a leaflet drop near Kajaki and an additional show of force over a coalition convoy near Worzhanah Kalay. The engagements were deemed successful by the JTAC.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support for coalition forces near Sangin. The F-15Es dropped GBU-38s on a compound known to house an enemy firing position and shoulder-fired anti-aircraft weapons. The GBU-38s were reported as directly hitting the target.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets conducted a strike near Qurya, dropping GBU-38s on enemy buildings. All the weapons were reported to have successfully hit the desired targets.

Other Navy F/A-18s dropped GBU-38s on enemy buildings near Sangin. A JTAC confirmed the weapons hit the desired target. 

Also near Sangin, F/A-18s fired cannon rounds, dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on enemy buildings. All weapons were reported to have impacted the targets.

Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers released enhanced Paveway II munitions, 540-pound bombs and rockets on a compound and a building near Sangin. The JTAC observed direct hits and noticed when the building was struck, small secondary explosions were observed which may indicate the destruction of a weapons cache.

Other GR-7s provided a show of force, dispensing several flares, near Asadabad.

In total, 45 close-air-support missions were flown in support of in support of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted a pre-planned strike, dropping GBU-31s on a major two-lane road near As Sadah. This engagement was meant to hamper traffic coming in and out of As Sadah City from the north. The strike was successful.

Other Air Force F-16s provided a show of force for coalition forces receiving small-arms fire near Balad. The enemy fire was reported to cease as a result of the show of force.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds at a moving enemy vehicle and two parked vehicles near Balad. A JTAC confirmed the vehicles were destroyed.

Other A-10s provided a show of force for a coalition convoy receiving small-arms fire near Baghdad. The A-10s then looked for IED activity along roadways in the same area and reported two hotspots to a JTAC.

Air Force F-16s conducted overwatch for a raid near Balad. Other F-16s performed counter-IED observations along multiple routes near Iskandariyah.

Other F-16s performed a show of force over several individuals who escaped from detainment near Baghdad. The people abandoned their escape attempt after the show of force, according to a JTAC. 

RAF GR-4 Tornados provided a show of force for coalition forces receiving rocket-propelled grenade attacks near Muqdadiyah. After a successful show of force, the GR-4 pilots reported several hotspots along a roadway and gave a JTAC the coordinates.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 50 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Additionally, 16 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Nearly 160 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 500 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,940 passengers were transported.

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

On March 7, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 41 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.7 million pounds of fuel which is the equivalent of more than 65 full Air Force fuel trucks.

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