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Airpower Summary for February 27

  • Published
  • Combined Air and Space Operations Center
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force in order to deter enemy activities against Coalition Forces. The shows of force were conducted in the vicinities of Lwara and Bermel. The Joint Terminal Attack Controller reported the missions as successful.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in the areas of Gereshk, Qalat, and Sangin to deter enemy activities against Coalition Forces. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.

In the areas of Qalat and Kandahar, Royal Air Force GR.7 Harriers conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities against Coalition Forces and to deter enemy combatants who were approaching a friendly location. The JTAC confirmed the missions as successful.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped Guided Bomb Unit-31s and Guided Bomb Unit 38s onto enemy combatant fighting positions in the vicinity of Nangalam. Furthermore, the B-1B performed shows of force in the vicinity of Bermel to deter enemy activities against Coalition Forces in that area.

French Air Force Mirage 2000s conducted shows of force in the areas of Gereshk, Now Zad, and Kandahar. The shows of force were conducted in order to deter enemy activities against Coalition Forces.

In total, 47 close air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight 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 F-16 Fighting Falcon performed a show of force over a friendly location in Kirkuk. The show of force was performed to deter enemy activities against Coalition Forces performing operations in that area.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 65 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.

Twenty-six Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six 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 141 airlift sorties were flown; 593 tons of cargo delivered, and 3,740 passengers were transported. This included approximately 14,400 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Feb. 26, U.S. Air Force, French, and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 243 receiving aircraft.