AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- U.S. Air Forces Central Command published its March Airpower Summary today.
March brought the elimination of Daesh’s self-proclaimed territorial caliphate in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, Syria, where the Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces supported the ground offensive through cross border air and artillery strikes. The fight against Daesh and violent extremism continues in Iraq where airstrikes support broader counter-resurgence operations.
“With the defeat of the ISIS physical caliphate, the Coalition has shown its ability to coordinate and integrate complex air operations to defeat our adversaries,” said Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, Combined Forces Air Component Commander. “The air component has the capabilities to out-match any adversary in the region which seeks to challenge the U.S. and Coalition interests.”
Coalition air advisors supported Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve in March through providing continued, high-quality Security Forces Advisement to Iraqi partners. Through regular sessions, air advisors worked by, with and through the Iraqi Air Enterprise on a number of projects which resulted in bolstering the Iraqi Air Force’s mobility capabilities, including loadmaster training, command and control checks and a cross-ministerial airdrop exercise.
Airmen supported Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and the NATO Resolute Support mission through close air support activities in defense of ground forces. They simultaneously used intelligence gathering and technology to protect nearby civilian populations.
“Talented, dedicated Airmen, along with our joint and Coalition partners work together to secure and maintain stability in this region,” said Guastella.
The airpower summary is online at the following link: March 2019
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan
In March, the Afghanistan Air Force received its first AC-208 aircraft, a new airframe that is capable of conducting both precision strikes and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. This new aircraft will further advance the AAF's ground support and ISR capabilities, increasing their effectiveness and efficiency in fighting insurgents and preventing civilian casualties.
The AAF also held its first Afghan-led aircrew flight equipment technical training course this month. The course provided instruction on the basic skills of inspecting, maintaining and repairing aircrew flight equipment. This training course enables the Afghan Air Force to move one step closer towards the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency in every aspect of aircrew flight equipment maintenance.
In addition to assisting Afghan Air Force development, the air component flew 1,440 ISR sorties, 634 strike sorties and released 673 weapons in Afghanistan.
Airlifters flew 941 sorties transporting 10,397 personnel, 6,624 short tons of cargo and performed two airdrops. Throughout the month, tanker aircraft delivered nine million pounds of fuel, and flew 231 sorties with 1,075 aerial refuelings.
Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria
U.S. and Coalition pilots flew 1,386 strike sorties, 1,085 ISR sorties and released 900 weapons in support of Joint Coalition and partner ground forces’ ISIS clearance operations in March. Weapon employment increased from levels in February in support of ground forces liberating the MERV from the self-proclaimed physical caliphate of Daesh.
During this time, tanker aircraft flew 664 sorties, delivering 49 million pounds of fuel through 4,965 aerial refuelings. C-130 and C-17 airlifters transported 3,915 passengers and 2,737 short tons of cargo in Iraq and Syria, completing 493 sorties. 191,700 pounds of supplies were also delivered across 11 airdrops in the area of operations.
The coalition continues to adapt its support to meet partner needs.
“The Iraqi Air Enterprise continues to take significant strides towards generating integrated, sustainable airpower to fight malign forces such as Daesh,” said Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, the Director of Air Operations, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. “As we continue to work by, with and through this key regional partner, we seek to inspire hope and trust in the people of Iraq. This relationship will lead to a united rejection of the ideals which previously led to the rise of Daesh.”