May 25 airpower summary

27 May 2010 |

Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troopsin Afghanistan during operations May 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Konduz
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrew conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity after friendly forces reported enemy fire. When enemy forces continued firing, the aircrew released precision guided munitions terminating enemy fire. Ground controllers declared the munitions releases successful when enemy fire ceased.

Lashkar Gah
Air Force MQ-1B Predator operators provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The operators observed an improvised explosive device emplacer in an area that would pose a threat to friendly forces. The operators released a missile and eliminated a threat to friendly forces.

Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots also were in the area providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, followed later with strafing runs against an enemy position. On-scene joint terminal attack controllers declared the actions successful.

Morghab
During an extended engagement, numerous aircraft were involved in providing overhead reconnaissance, as well as armed overwatch for friendly ground forces, a friendly forces dismounted patrol and a friendly forces convoy. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews, a B-1B aircrew and coalition aircrews conducted shows of force, some with flares launched; a show of presence; multiple strafing runs and release of precision-guided munitions against enemy fighting positions, ranging from caves and treeline positions to open field engagements. Contact with enemy forces came to an end with a final show of force that allowed the friendly forces patrol to evacuate the area with no further enemy fire.

Asadabad
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews released precision-guided munitions against enemy fighting positions to eliminate threats to friendly forces. Ground controllers called the engagements successful.

Soltani
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force to deter enemy fire against friendly forces. When enemy fire did not cease, the aircrews conducted a strafing run against an enemy position and enemy fire ceased. Later, the aircrews conducted more shows of force to continue deterrence of enemy activity and ground controllers declared these actions successful.

Sheykhabad
Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When an enemy rocket-firing position was identified, the aircrews targeted the position with precision-guided munitions and eliminated the threat to friendly forces.

Chahar Bagh
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots and F/A-18E aircrews provided armed overwatch for coalition and friendly forces. The pilots and aircrews conducted shows of force, some with flares launched, to deter enemy action when coalition forces reported enemy fire. They followed this action with cannon-fire strafing runs and a final show of force. Ground controllers reported all actions successful.

Remak
F-15E and coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy. The aircrews conducted shows of force to deter enemy action when the convoy was observed encountering an improvised explosive device. Ground controllers reported the shows of force successful.

Airlift Action

Helmand Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, delivering 88,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Badghis Province
An Air Force C-130 Hercules flew a combat-airdrop mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, delivering 36,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Zabul
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, delivering 24,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Oruzgan Province
A C-17 aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 67,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:
Nothing significant to report today.

Airpower Statistics:

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 87
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 22

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 51
Sorties flown in Iraq: 25

On May 24:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 165
Short tons of delivered cargo: 636
Passengers: approximately 3,300
Airdropped cargo: approximately 215,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 48
Fuel delivered: approximately 3.4 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 261

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 19 patients
Saves: 6
Assists: 12
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 1
Sorties flown to support OEF: 45
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0