Aircraft Involved In Multitude Of Operations
In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles supporting
coalition forces returned fire to an enemy location near Now
Zad.
Military sources tell ANN the F-15s made three passes over the
target area, expending multiple Guided Bomb Unit-12s, GBU-38s and
20 mm cannon rounds on enemy firing positions. A Joint Terminal
Attack Controller and a review of the weapon system video by
aircrew confirms the strikes destroyed the enemy target.
A Air Force B-1B Lancer performed a show of force, expending
flares over a coalition position near the Afghanistan-Pakistan
border. The Coalition ground forces conducted a raid on four
buildings and detained six men. The show of force was successful
according to the JTAC involved.
Near Shkin, another Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of
presence in support of the Afghan National Army.
Near Fulad, Navy F/A-18s provided high cover while other F/A-18s
conducted a leaflet drop. The drop was successful; weapon system
video confirmed the dispersal packages opened and the leaflets were
dispensed.
More Navy F/A-18s provided close air support near Shkin and
dropped GBU-12s and GBU-38s in support of coalition forces. A JTAC
requested ordnance on a building in the area and confirmed the
weapons impacted the desired target.
Also near Shkin, at the request of the ground commander via the
JTAC, other F/A-18s conducted a show of force over the location of
Coalition forces. The JTAC confirmed that the show of force was
successful.
In total, 37 close air support missions were flown in support of
the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops,
reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Seven Air Force and Royal Air Force Surveillance and
Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in
Afghanistan. U.S. Navy fighter aircraft performed in
non-traditional ISR roles with electro-optical and infrared
sensors.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided overwatch for
coalition ground forces near Baghdad. After a JTAC confirmed the
area clear, the F-16s rolled into the area with eyes on target. The
F-16s released 20 mm cannon rounds in an area where enemy forces
were digging on the side of the road. A JTAC confirmed the attack
was successful.
Near Baghdad, F-16s conducted a show of force at the request of
a JTAC to make enemy personnel leave the area. The F-16s also
supported counter-improvised explosive device operations and were
assigned to look for suspicious activity and individuals carrying
weapons in the area.
In the same area, F-16s conducted overwatch of coalition forces
conducting a raid in support of Operation Black Magic. The F-16
pilots did not locate any threats to coalition ground forces.
A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were assigned counter improvised explosive
device reconnaissance in the vicinity of an intersection near
Baghdad.
F-16s Fighting Falcons responded to coalition forces at a
forward operating base attacked by approximately eight mortar
rounds near Ad Diwaniyah. The F-16 pilots checked in with a JTAC
and proceeded to search for the point of origin of the mortars. The
F-16s also provided cover for a convoy.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 44 close air support missions
for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions provided support to
coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction
activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist
activities.
Additionally, 14 Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq
Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift
support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq
and the Horn of Africa. Nearly 165 airlift sorties were flown;
nearly 395 tons of cargo was delivered, and approximately 3,925
passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Iraq flew in
support of OIF or OEF.
On March 14, Air Force, Royal Air Force and French Air Force
crews flew over 30 sorties and off-loaded more than 1.7 million
pounds of fuel which is the equivalent of nearly 50 full Air Force
Logistics Readiness fuel trucks.
(ANN salutes all our men and women in the armed services
around the world)