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U.S. Air Forces Central Command published its monthly Airpower Summary today highlighting air operations in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria. The full summary may be found at the monthly Airpower Summaries link:
http://www.afcent.af.mil/Portals/82/Documents/Airpower%20summary/U%20July%202018%20APS%20Data%20Narrative%20Final.pdf?ver=2018-08-24-044104-913
Airpower increases pressure on Taliban to reconcile
After the historic Afghan ceasefire in June 2018, U.S. pilots and aircrews fully resumed in July an air campaign designed to convince the Taliban they can’t win militarily and to pressure them toward reconciliation with the Afghan government.
“The U.S. is committed to supporting the Afghan peace process, the Afghan government and our ANDSF partners fighting from the air and the ground against the Taliban and other nefarious actors who seek to destabilize Afghanistan,” said Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, Combined Forces Air Component Commander for U.S. Central Command. “However, the fact remains that unless and until the Taliban reconcile, we will strike the enemy to deny them important resources and capabilities.”
For July, strike metrics saw highs across the board as the result of a surge in operations post-ceasefire. The U.S. flew 749 strike sorties, 88 of which included a weapons release. Both are monthly highs this year. Also, the U.S. employed 746 weapons in July, the highest monthly total since November 2010.
“U.S. strikes, coupled with the increasing capability of and strikes by the Afghan Air Forces, strengthens the position of the Afghan government,” said Harrigian. “In support of Afghans and the Afghan government, the U.S. and our international partners will continue using military pressure to drive the Taliban to reconcile.”
In order to develop targets and monitor the adversary, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew 1,316 sorties in July, an increase over previous months this year. The increase reflects CENTCOM direction earlier this year to prioritize operations in Afghanistan over those in Iraq and Syria.
U.S. tankers and air mobility assets remain in the fight, as well, with tankers having now refueled more than 10,000 receivers in OFS this year. In July, tankers flew 492 sorties and offloaded more than 19 million pounds of fuel to 1,915 receivers. C-17s and C-130s flew 916 sorties, delivering 6,146 short tons of cargo and more than 10,000 passengers.
Afghans improving with support of train, advise and assist Airmen
In support of the Afghan Air Force, NATO Train Advise and Assistance Command – Air trainers helped Afghans achieve notable milestones in July.
Two UH-60s from Camp Shorab performed their first operational mission for forward deployed UH-60s, July 10, with AAF crews transporting 22 passengers around Helmand province with the support of U.S. TAAC-Air Advisors. This milestone highlights the rapid success of the AAF UH-60 program, which fields capabilities while continuing to grow and develop.
Also last month, three Afghans were appointed as weapons load trainers. TAAC-Air Advisors will evaluate and certify them as the first AAF A-29 weapons certifying officials, enabling the AAF the capability to organically train Afghan forces without the need to attend training in the United States.
Airpower vital to Defeat-ISIS operations, force protection in Iraq, Syria
Nearly four years after combat operations began against ISIS, U.S., Coalition and partner forces have devastated ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Air operations in Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, continue to focus on striking the enemy, preparing for the final phase of Operation Roundup – the latest phase in the defeat ISIS campaign – and continuing to protect ground forces from above.
In July 2018, U.S. and Coalition pilots and aircrew flew 1,325 strike sorties. The primary airpower weight of effort remains on force protection, which includes defensive counter air, armed over-watch and close air support missions.
“With airpower overhead, U.S., Coalition and partner ground forces can put more pressure on ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley and in northeast Syria, and can better support Iraqi Security Forces in Iraq as they root out the remnants of ISIS,” said Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, Combined Forces Air Component Commander for U.S. Central Command. “Let there be no illusions: there is hard fighting ahead in the MERV. But four years into this fight, ISIS’ lasting defeat is upon them thanks to the resolve and hard-fought victories by the Iraqis, Syrian Democratic Forces and the Coalition effort.”
The July sortie total is consistent with the monthly average of 1,353 sorties and on par with the operations tempo since Operation Roundup began May 1. In July, 20 sorties included at least one weapon release, and 292 weapons were released for the month.
Additionally, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew 419 sorties in July, while tankers flew 797 sorties. Tankers offloaded more than 46 million pounds of fuel to 4,529 receivers.
Airlifters flew 755 sorties in order to deliver 4,053 short tons of cargo and 6,277 passengers ensuring Coalition forces are properly positioned and supplied to hasten ISIS’ defeat.
U.S. advisors enabling Iraqi Air Force achievements
With the support of the Coalition Aviation Advisory and Training Team and other Coalition advisors, the Iraqi Aviation and Air Defense Enterprise continued to achieve notable milestones in developing more capability in July.
Airmen with the 447th Air Expeditionary Group continue training Iraqi airfield operators to handle airfield operations and take on a more prominent role at many locations. Also, Air Force civil engineers with the CAATT instructed Iraqi civil engineers on supporting air operations during a training course at Camp Taji, Iraq, in order to build partner capacity.
Finally, with support from Coalition trainers, Iraqi forward air controllers participated in an air controller currency course in July, which included directing simulated strikes by Iraqi helicopters. The “train the trainer” course helps Iraqis train others on forward air control.
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.24.2018 05:35 |
| Story ID: | 290104 |
| Location: | AL UDEID AIR BASE, QA |
| Hometown: | AL UDEID AIR BASE, QA |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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