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Airpower Summary for February 24

  • 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. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Bermel. The Joint Terminal Attack Controller confirmed that the missions were successful.

In order to deter enemy activities shows of force were performed by A-10s in Gereshk, Oruzgan, and Sangin. The JTAC reported that the missions were successful.

In Bagram, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator and an F-15 dropped GBU-38s and a Hellfire missile in order to destroy an enemy compound and an enemy weapons cache. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.

An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper dropped a GBU-12 in order to destroy enemy motorcycles transporting weapons in Kandahar. The JTAC confirmed that the mission was successful.

In Sangin, a French Mirage-2000 performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities. The JTAC reported that the mission was successful.

Air Force B-1B Lancers dropped Guided Bomb Unit-31s in order to destroy enemy tunnels and enemy combatants in Kajaki Dam and Nangalam. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC

In total, 37 close air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seven Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, British GR.4 Tornados performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Baqubah. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.

In Basrah, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a GBU-38 in order to destroy enemy Improvised Explosive Device emplacers. The JTAC confirmed that the mission was successful.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 60 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.

Thirteen 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 149 airlift sorties were flown; 767 tons of cargo delivered, and 3,634 passengers were transported. This included approximately 159,780 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Feb. 23, U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 241 receiving aircraft.