Airpower Continues To Be A Decisive Factor
Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in
Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan
during operations April 17, according to Combined Air and Space
Operations Center officials in Southwest Asia. In Afghanistan, Air
Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in order to
deter enemy activities in Ghazni. An on-scene joint terminal attack
controller confirmed that the missions were successful.
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force in order
to deter enemy activities in Gardez, Lwara and Zormat. A JTAC
reported the success of the missions. In Nangalam, F-15s dropped
guided bomb unit-38s in order to destroy enemy combatants engaging
friendly forces. The success of the mission was declared by a
JTAC.
An Air Force B-1B Lancer performed a show of force in order to
deter enemy activities in Bermel. The success of the mission was
confirmed by a JTAC. In total, 46 close-air-support missions were
flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces,
reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Eight Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.
Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical
reconnaissance. In Iraq, Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets performed shows
of force in order to deter enemy activities in Baghdad. The success
of the mission was reported by a JTAC. A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet
performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities in
Basra. The success of the mission was declared by a JTAC.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 23 close-air-support missions
for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and
synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure,
provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to
deter and disrupt terrorist activities.
Twelve Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in
Iraq. Additionally, four RAF aircraft performed tactical
reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs
provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations
throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately
64 airlift sorties were flown, 387 tons of cargo delivered and
1,189 passengers were transported. This included approximately
14,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews from Iraq flew as part of operations in
Afghanistan or Iraq. On April 16, Air Force and RAF tanker crews
flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of
fuel to 231 receiving aircraft.
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