War News
Superior Air Power…
Thursday, April 05, 2007 2:18 PM
…in more ways than one, I might add.
Perhaps It Would Be More Fair If The Enemy Had Some Of This?
SOUTHWEST ASIA — In Afghanistan, a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of force for a Coalition convoy stuck in the mud near Sangin. The B-1B also provided shows of force for Coalition forces in contact with insurgents in the same area. All were reported as successful.
Also near Sangin, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided overwatch during a medical evacuation operation after a Coalition vehicle striking a mine. The F-15Es also searched for and found three suspected insurgents.
Other F-15Es provided overwatch for a British vehicle disabled by a mine near Khakeran. The pilots observed the surrounding area and conducted route reconnaissance. No attacks were reported after F-15Es arrived on scene.
Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers dropped an Enhanced Paveway II laser-guided bomb on insurgents who were firing on Coalition forces near Sangin. A JTAC confirmed enemy fire ceased after the bomb struck in a direct hit.
In total, 31 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Five U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons looked for counter-improvised explosive devices along multiple routes near Samarra to allow for safe passage of Coalition convoys.
Other F-16s performed a show of force for a Coalition convoy receiving small- arms fire near Bayji. The show of force was reported as successful. The F-16s also provided overwatch for a cordon and search of a nearby factory.
Near Mosul, F-16s conducted reconnaissance of a fertilizer plant to look for improvised explosive device builders. The pilots also observed the local vicinity of the plant for suspicious activity near Mosul.
U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets conducted reconnaissance for suspicious activity near mosques and a joint security station near Baghdad. The pilots also searched for suspected small arms positions in the same area.
Other F/A-18s searched for improvised explosive devices along a Coalition convoy route and reported the coordinates for several hot spots.
Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados also conducted an improvised explosive device search along multiple routes near Samarra. The GR-4s searched for enemy positions.
In total, Coalition aircraft flew 55 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions provided support to Coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.
Additionally, 18 U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. A U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a non-traditional ISR role with electro-optical and infrared sensors.
U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 145 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 575 tons of cargo were delivered, and nearly 2,600 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia flew in support of OIF or OEF.
On March 28, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force and French Air Force crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.3 million pounds of fuel.
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