Fly Close Support, Surveillance, Airlift Operations
US Central Command Air
Forces officials have released the airpower summary for February 18
to ANN.
In Afghanistan February 17, US Navy F/A-18 Hornets conducted a
strike against insurgents Near Qurya. The Hornet strike-fighters
dropped guided bomb unit-38 joint direct attack munitions on
insurgent compounds and infrastructure with direct hits confirmed
by weapons system video.
In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown in support of
International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops,
reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Four Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
(ISR) aircraft flew missions in support of operations in
Afghanistan. Additionally, Navy fighter aircraft performed in
non-traditional ISR roles using electro-optical and infrared
sensors.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided watch over a
cordon and search team. The fighters also supported coalition
troops in contact with enemy forces around a mosque near Bayji and
later supported two coalition convoys under fire near Samarra.
After the attack in Samarra, the F-16s provided over watch for
the convoys until coalition personnel located and detained the
anti-Iraqi insurgents believed to have carried out the attack. The
F-16s later provided over watch for coalition forces working a
counter-improvised explosive device mission.
Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados were tasked to observe troop
routes and an intersection of two routes where an illegal
checkpoint was believed to be located near Baghdad. The GR-4s were
then tasked to provide over watch for humvees engaged by four
individuals on foot near Baghdad.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 57 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, RAF and Royal Australian Air
Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in
Iraq.
Air Force C-130 Hercules and
C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support,
helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the
Horn of Africa. These aircraft flew more than 160 airlift sorties
delivering more than 410 tons of cargo including more than 9,000
pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped into eastern Afghanistan.
Airlifters transported 4,100 passengers.
Coalition C-130 crews from Canada and Australia flew in support
of OIF or OEF.
On February 16, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 41
sorties and off-loaded more than 2.6 million pounds of fuel.