Feb. 12 airpower: A-10s help team apprehend insurgents

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 12.

In Afghanistan Feb. 11, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving small arms and rocket fire from enemy forces near Tarin Kowt. No further engagement from the enemy was reported after the F/A-18s arrived. 

In total, 35 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. 

Additionally, nine Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Navy fighter aircraft performed in nontraditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. Airborne and space-based ISR assets play a key role in identifying enemy operating areas and analyzing trends of enemy activity. 

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops receiving small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire from enemy forces near Baghdad. No further engagement from the enemy was reported after the F-16s arrived. 

Air Force F-16s performed a counter improvised explosive device mission near Samarra at the request of joint terminal attack controllers. The F-16s reported possible IED placement activity in several locations. 

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for a scout team that received small arms fire near Balad. The A-10s observed the team apprehending the individuals responsible for the small arms fire and provided reconnaissance until the team returned to their forward-operating base. 

Air Force F-16s and RAF GR-4 Tornadoes provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Basrah. The F-16s watched over a high-value target operation and a raid in progress. The operation and raid concluded with nothing significant to report. The GR-4s watched over troops receiving small arms fire while searching buildings near Basrah. The troops were directed by a GR-4 pilot to move to the safe side of a building to prevent any injuries or casualties. 

In total, coalition aircraft flew 45 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, nine Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. An Air Force fighter performed in a nontraditional ISR role with electro-optical and infrared sensors. 

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. More than 120 airlift sorties were flown; more than 520 tons of cargo was delivered, and more than 2,300 passengers were transported. 

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Canada flew in support of OIF or OEF.
On Feb. 10, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 24 sorties and off-loaded almost 1.6 million pounds of fuel.