Feb. 22 airpower: F-15s stop sniper fire

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  SOUTHWEST ASIA -- In Afghanistan Feb. 21, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving sniper fire near Now Zad. A joint terminal attack controller, or JTAC, gave coordinates of a compound where the sniper fire originated and an F-15E dropped a guided bomb unit-39 small diameter bomb. The JTAC called the hit successful and reported the sniper fire had stopped.

The F-15Es then provided close-air support for ISAF troops receiving mortar and small arms fire near Now Zad.  An F-15E dropped a GBU-12 successfully on enemy position. The JTAC reported the mortar fire had stopped. The F-15Es remained in the area to search for other mortar firing positions and movement of enemy personnel.

A B-1B Lancer was assigned to locate and destroy an enemy firing position in a cave complex near Now Zad. The B-1B pilot recommended dropping a GBU-31, however, the ground commander relayed through the JTAC that the cave no longer was a valid target because enemy insurgents had moved on.

The B-1B was then assigned to provide a show of force for ISAF troops engaged in enemy contact near Deh Rawod. The JTAC reported the show of force was successful.
Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for ISAF troops receiving mortar fire near Now Zad. A GR-7 released an enhanced Pave Way II laser-guided bomb on the enemy mortar position. The JTAC reported a direct hit.

In total, 34 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. 

Eleven Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, U.S. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles.

In Iraq , Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted a show of force, dispensing 24 flares near Al Mahmudiyah. The show of force was successful according to a JTAC.

The A-10 pilots also were assigned to observe a mosque for a possible sniper in the bell tower in the same area.

Then, JTAC gave an update that coalition forces were taking small arms fire from the north and south of their position and the A-10s were sent on a reconnaissance mission at a building where the suspected small arms fire originated.

The A-10 pilots observed coalition forces evacuating wounded personnel and moving north. Then, the JTAC requested a show of force over the suspected building while the ground coalition forces cleared the building. No further enemy activity was observed.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided over-watch near Baghdad in support of recovery efforts for a downed helicopter. 

RAF GR-4 Tornados were tasked to provide over-watch of a suspicious building where an improvised explosive device had been reported. The GR-4s proceeded with close-air support to look for suspicious vehicles and individuals near a building in the vicinity of Ramadi. They were then assigned to look for suspicious activity on the east side of the river where two boats pulled up to an island, where men appeared to load material and then head down stream to offload the material.

The GR-4s also were assigned to look for other suspicious activity in the area, to include the investigation of an explosion. The GR-4 pilots reported several hot spots, and that friendly forces had arrived in the area.

Air Force F-16 pilots provided over-watch and were assigned to search for suspicious vehicles in Ramadi as well. A suspicious truck was detected and tracked to a residence. Several people met the vehicle at the location and appeared to either load or unload unidentified items to or from the truck. The activity was reported to the JTAC.

Other F-16s were tasked to provide surveillance to Kamaliyah sector of Baghdad in preparation for a convoy movement. They arrived at the location and then provided over-watch and search of the area during the cordon.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 49 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, 15 Air Force, U.S. 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. Airlifters flew nearly 150 airlift sorties; delivered more than 670 tons of cargo, and transported approximately 3,115 passengers.

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

On Feb. 20, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 31 sorties and off-loaded nearly 2 million pounds of fuel, which is the equivalent of nearly 50 full Air Force R-11 fuel trucks. 

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