A-10's Effective Supporting Ground Troops With Shows Of Force

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

A-10 Thunderbolt File Photo

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs employed shows of force with numerous flares released on a group of anti-Afghan forces near Herat. The shows of force took place in response to enemy fire on an Afghan and coalition unit.

A-10s used shows of force after an improvised explosive device hit a friendly convoy near Kandahar. The aircraft provided armed overwatch while casualties were evacuated. A second convoy in the area reported small-arms fire from enemy forces and additional shows of force were performed with release of flares that ended the enemy fire.

Near Surkhabad, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided friendly forces protection through shows of force several times as they prepared for troop movement. Later when the friendly forces came under enemy small-arms fire, the B-1Bs dropped precision guided munitions on the enemy position terminating the attacks.

B-1B Lancer File Photo

There were also shows of force by coalition and U.S. aircraft near the towns of Kandahar, and Mushan that ended in success by stopping enemy attacks on friendly forces. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions, and twenty-six Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In total, 73 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

FMI: www.af.mil