Airpower Summary for June 4

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

06.08.2009

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central           

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SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations June 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a UK Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier carried out a Paveway guided munition strike in Chahar Bagh against a group of anti-Afghan forces after the enemy gunmen had been firing on an Afghan and coalition unit. An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-1B Predator had tracked the enemy forces prior to the Harrier's attack. A second Harrier conducted a show of force to deter further enemy aggression.

In the Kandahar area, an MQ-1B Predator fired a Hellfire missile at a group of armed anti-Afghan forces personnel moving along a wall during a firefight with Afghan and coalition troops. A GR-9 conducted a second strike using a Paveway. An additional Predator joined the engagement, using guided bomb unit-12s and another Hellfire missile to hit several more enemy personnel taking cover near a compound.

Near Ali Kheyl, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted strafing runs, engaging enemy forces fighting positions. Gunmen armed with assault weapons and rocket propelled grenades had been firing on an Afghan national army and police convoy prior to the strafes.

In Tarin Kowt, a large engagement occurred after anti-Afghan forces were detected operating an illegal checkpoint along a local highway. A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet and an Air Force B-1B Lancer responded, hitting groups of enemy gunmen overwatching the road in a treeline using GBU-38s, then targeting a second group in an open field with a GBU-31.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle targeted anti-Afghan forces in a treeline who were firing on an Afghan convoy with mortars and automatic weapons. The Strike Eagle dropped a GBU-12 on the enemy position, ending their attack.

A-10s conducted shows of force near Konduz, expending flares to deter an enemy RPG and gunfire attack on an Afghan and coalition convoy. The A-10 remained overhead to provide cover to the convoy's withdrawal.

A convoy taking small arms fire in the Bagram area called in an F-15E to conduct a show of force. The aircraft's arrival suppressed enemy fire, allowing the convoy to break contact and move on to its objective.

During combat in Gardez, an A-10 flew a show of force for a coalition unit conducting an operation near the perimeter of their forward base. The unit came under fire from anti-Afghan forces using RPGs and automatic weapons prior to the maneuver, which stopped the attack.

Air Force and Navy aircraft conducted several shows of force to prevent enemy attacks during operations in Kabul, Sangin and Lashkar Gah. The maneuvers preempted enemy activity, allowing friendly supply convoys to reach their destinations and Afghanistan's rebuilding in those areas to move forward free of enemy interference.

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 77 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon flew a show of force over Mosul to deter insurgents during an Iraqi patrol. The aircraft provided additional security presence for the operation.

Coalition aircraft flew 23 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities, and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Twenty-five Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 125 airlift sorties were flown; 500 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 2,900 passengers were transported. This included about 75,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jun 3, U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 233 receiving aircraft.