AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- U.S. Air Forces Central Command published its August Airpower Summary today highlighting airpower operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
AFCENT Airmen operate in Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, and train, advise and assist the Afghan Air Force under the NATO Resolute Support Mission.
In Iraq and Syria, Coalition Airmen continue the defeat ISIS mission as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, and provide security force assistance to the Iraqi Aviation and Air Defense Enterprise through the efforts of the Coalition Aviation Advisory and Training Team.
“The air component is well postured against the threat in the CENTCOM region, and we are ready to integrate airpower into any contingency response,” said Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, Combined Forces Air Component Commander.
The entire airpower summary is online at the following link: Airpower Summary - Aug. 2018
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan
As part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force combat forces continued operations in August to create space for political reconciliation and deny terrorist safe havens for ISIS-K. Airmen assigned to Train, Advise and Assist Command continued training and supporting the Afghan Air Force in order to increase the capability of Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.
“The commitment and excellence of our Airmen providing training, advice and assistance to the Afghan Air Force enables Afghan National Defense and Security Forces to maintain an offensive posture and grow their combat capabilities, limiting insurgents from achieving their strategic objectives,” said Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, Combined Forces Air Component Commander.
In August, U.S. aircraft flew 649 strike sorties in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, releasing 715 weapons. Current year strike sorties and weapons releases have now passed 2017 totals. ISR aircraft flew 1,666 sorties enabling target development, battlespace situational awareness and dynamic strikes.
Air mobility aircraft continue to enable U.S., Coalition and Afghan operations across Afghanistan by providing refueling support to strike and ISR aircraft and by providing airlift in order to move personnel and supplies in support of operations.
Tankers flew 403 sorties and offloaded 18 million pounds of fuel to 1,432 receivers. Meanwhile, airlifters flew 921 sorties, and C-130s flew two airdrop missions supporting ongoing operations. Mobility Airmen delivered 6,213 cargo short tons and 9,385 personnel last month. Already this year, C-130s and C-17s have airdropped more than 500,000 pounds of supplies and equipment to ground forces and have moved more than 100,000 personnel to the fight.
Train, advise and assist mission successes mounting
Train Advise and Assist Command – Airmen continue to train their Afghan Air Force counterparts in order to increase their capabilities and effectiveness.
On Aug. 1, an Afghan Air Force UH-60 crew from Camp Shorab completed the detachment’s first patient transfer when they completed a short notice tasking to transfer a critical ANDSF patient from Camp Nowruz to a Shorab Role 2 medical facility.
With the support of 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group air advisors, the Shorab air operations director successfully coordinated with the 215th Afghan National Army Corps and Kandahar Air Wing leadership to conduct the mission. This mission highlights the growing capabilities of the AAF UH-60 program, as well as increased communications and mutual support across the ANDSF.
An Afghan Airman’s quick thinking August 14 enabled two A-29 light attack aircraft to support an unscheduled tasking in Faryab Province the following day. An Afghan master sergeant procured replacement parts for the aircraft quickly enough to add them to the Aug. 15 flying schedule. As a result, the A-29s were available to support a critical tasking in Faryab, striking multiple enemy personnel.
Finally, 438th AEW advisors trained and certified the first two AAF military working dog handlers after they completed a five-stage certification. This development gives the AAF explosive detection capabilities, additional base security and a visible deterrent.
Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria
AFCENT continues providing precision strike and force protection capabilities in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve’s mission to exert pressure on ISIS senior leaders and associates, as well as degrading, disrupting and dismantling ISIS organizational structures throughout Iraq and Syria.
“In support of the international coalition’s mission to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS, the air component continues to deliver kinetic strikes, intelligence, airlift, space, and rescue in support of the Joint Campaign,” said Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, Combined Forces Air Component Commander. “We remain focused on defeating ISIS, while closely monitoring Syrian, Russian and Iranian activity in the region. We remain prepared to defend against any threat that emerges.”
In August, the U.S. and Coalition flew 1,257 strike sorties, topping 10,000 for the year. Force protection, including defensive counter air, armed over-watch and close air support remains the airpower weight of effort. Overall, the Coalition released 241 weapons.
ISR capabilities were vital in August in preparation for the next phase of Operation Roundup. As ground forces prepared to clear the last remnants of ISIS in Syria in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, manned and unmanned ISR aircraft flew 996 sorties to develop targets and maintain battlespace situational awareness.
Air mobility forces including tanker and airlift aircraft continue enabling operations by extending aircraft loiter times over operating areas and by moving personnel and equipment to the fight. Tankers flew 590 sorties in August while offloading 35 million pounds of fuel to 1,431 receivers.
Airlifters flew 611 sorties, while delivering 3,000 short tons of cargo and 5,615 passengers. For the year, mobility forces have now flown more than 6,000 sorties and delivered more than 30,000 short tons of cargo.
U.S. and Coalition Airmen train Iraqi partners
The Iraqi Air Enterprise achieved several notable milestones as they continue developing an increasingly integrated and lethal force. Air advisors from the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group enabled the first-ever Iraqi F-16 aerial refueling training mission with a coalition tanker in Iraqi airspace, demonstrating the capability to increase Iraqi F-16 presence and lethality over the battlefield.
The 447th Air Expeditionary Group continued enabling the fight to secure the lasting defeat of ISIS through agile combat support including airfield management, cargo processing and personnel movement. Through the month of August, 447 AEG Airmen have directed 1,344 transport missions with 11,205 passengers and 3,919 tons of cargo in support of OIR.
"As a coalition, we are committed to working by, with and through our Iraqi partners to consolidate the gains made by the Iraqi Air Enterprise, defeat of ISIS, and establish enduring Iraqi airpower capable of playing its part in ensuring the security of Iraq," said Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, Director of the Coalition Air Advisory and Training Team. "We are making tremendous progress daily, but there is still more work to be done if we are to truly win the peace."