A-10s, Other Aircraft Give Commanders Options For Dealing With
Insurgents
Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and
International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in
the following operations April 25, officials with the Combined Air
and Space Operations Center in southwest Asia tell ANN.
In Afghanistan, F-15E Strike Eagles released multiple guided
bomb unit-31s on caves during a pre-planned strike near Khowst. The
caves were known to have been used as ambush and indirect-fire
locations and for logistics storage. Weapons from both aircraft
collapsed the targeted cave entrances according to an on-scene
joint terminal attack controller.
Near Kajaki Dam, a B1-B Lancer dropped GBU-31s on enemy
positions where insurgents were firing on coalition forces. The
bombs impacted the desired targets and were direct hits with good
effects according to a JTAC.
Coalition ground forces began leaving the area after the strike
and were fired upon by insurgents along a ridgeline. The ground
commander requested his JTAC call in the B1-B to drop GBU-31s along
the ridge line. The bombs impacted the desired targets and were
called direct hits by the JTAC. The B1-Bs also provided a show of
presence for coalition forces headed to a forward operating base
near the same area.
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided reconnaissance for
coalition forces near a ridgeline close to Gereshk.
US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets dropped a GBU-38 and a GBU-12 on
insurgents on a mountain side near Gereshk. A JTAC confirmed the
weapons hit the desired target.
Also near Gereshik, other F/A-18s dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on
insurgents. A JTAC confirmed the weapons hit the desired
target.
Another F/A-18 dropped a GBU-38 on insurgents in an open area
near Malek Din. A JTAC confirmed weapon hit the desired target.
In total, 43 close-air-support missions were flown in support of
ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and
route patrols.
Eleven Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.
Additionally, two Navy aircraft performed tactical
reconnaissance.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided overwatch for
coalition forces near Samarra. The pilots then searched for
improvised explosive devices in the area.
Other F-16s performed armed reconnaissance for coalition forces
raiding two buildings near Baghdad. The pilots also provided
overwatch for a coalition convoy that received small-arms fire in
the same area. The enemy fire ceased after the arrival of the
F-16s.
Near Bayji, the F-16s provided overwatch for a coalition vehicle
that struck an IED. No further attacks were reported. The pilots
also provided overwatch for a nearby coalition raid.
Air Force A-10s provided a show of force, releasing multiple
flares to deter attacks against coalition and Iraqi forces
conducting a cordon search operation near Baghdad. The pilots then
searched for mortar positions in the area.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 51 close-air-support missions
for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition
ground forces, protected key infrastructure, watched over
reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist
activities.
Fourteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in
support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and
Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical
reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs
provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain
operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
More than 120 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 600 tons of cargo
were delivered, and approximately 1,615 passengers were
transported. This included about 12,000 pounds of troop re-supply
air-dropped in Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq and South
Korea flew in support of OIF or OEF.
On April 24, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 45 sorties
and off-loaded more than 2.6 million pounds of fuel.