SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber destroyed an anti-Afghan forces staging area and several enemy positions in the area around Now Zad using guided bomb unit -31s and -38s. Enemy forces had targeted coalition units using heavy machine guns and automatic weapons prior to the bomber’s arrival.
Coalition ground forces called in several Navy F/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18E Super Hornets to hit enemy targets in the vicinity of Kajaki Dam, including an enemy mortar position, observation posts, communication tunnels and a spotter position in a walled compound. A variety of GBU-series precision weaponry was used to carry out the strike, which took place in response to anti-Afghan mortar fire.
An F/A-18C and a coalition fighter aircraft used a GBU-12 and GBU-38, as well as a strafing pass to strike anti-Afghan forces spotted gathering in a staging area near Musa Qala. Enemy forces were engaged in readying rockets for launch against coalition units. The coalition aircraft struck a large group of enemy combatants, while the Hornet hit a series of pillboxes and bunkers in the area. The Hornet also attacked enemy targets in Now Zad following reports of enemy fire there.
Near Qarah Bagh, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force to suppress enemy mortar fire against a coalition outpost. The aircraft passed over the enemy mortar position, expending flares, prompting enemy forces to end their indirect fire attack.
A pair of A-10s performed a show of force to deter enemy aggression in the Sheykhabad region in response to enemy gunfire against a coalition convoy. The maneuver succeeded in ending the firefight so the convoy could continue on its mission.
A coalition aircraft and an A-10 executed shows of force near Lashkar Gah and Nangalam to prevent enemy activity in those locations. The aircraft supported coalition ground forces carrying out security and reconstruction efforts.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
In total, 74 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Nineteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Navy aircraft provided tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 28 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 ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three Air Force and coalition aircraft provided tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs 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 were delivered and about 3,250 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 75,600 tons of aerial resupply cargo airdropped over Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On April 2, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 265 receiving aircraft.
