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Airpower Summary for April 8

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and dropped a general purpose 500-pound bomb onto enemy combatant locations in the vicinity of Nangalam. The Joint Terminal Attack Controller declared the mission a success.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 conducted shows of force in Kabul in order to deter enemy activities in the area. The missions were reported as successful by the JTAC.

In Baghlan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities against Coalition forces in the area. The JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.

In total, 44 close air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Four Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired a hellfire missile onto an enemy artillery position near Baghdad. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

In Baghdad, an MQ-1B fired hellfire missiles onto enemy combatants in the area. The JTAC reported the missions as successful.

A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-38 onto an enemy building in the vicinity of Baqubah. The mission was confirmed as a success by the JTAC.

A Royal Air Force GR.4 Tornado conducted a show of force over enemy positions in Basrah. The JTAC declared the mission a success.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 61 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized Coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Thirty Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, eight Air Force, Navy, and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 138 airlift sorties were flown; 363 tons of cargo delivered, and 3,811 passengers were transported. This included approximately 24,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Canada flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On April 7, U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 39 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.4 million pounds of fuel to 194 receiving aircraft.