3/31/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for March 31.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped Guided Bomb Unit-31s
on an insurgent compound and a GBU-38 on an enemy firing position near
Garmsir. A Joint Terminal Attack Controller confirmed targets were
directly hit.
Another B-1B provided a show of presence for coalition forces in
contact with insurgents near Asmar and Orgun. A JTAC reported it as
successful given no engagements were reported thereafter.
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a GBU-38 on a building reported
to contain a suspected underground hide-out in Sangin. A JTAC confirmed
the weapons hit the desired location. One of the two F-15Es also
dropped a GBU-12 on a disabled coalition truck, to prevent use by the
enemy.
A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier dropped an Enhanced Paveway II munition
on an insurgent compound near Garmsir. A JTAC confirmed a direct hit on
the target.
In total, 33 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the
International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops,
reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Six Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in
Afghanistan.
In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired Hellfire missiles at enemy
personnel fleeing from a raid near Samarra. Missile impacts were
reported as successful.
Another MQ-1B fired a Hellfire missile at enemy personnel unloading
weapons from a vehicle. Missile impact was reported as successful.
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided a show of force, releasing
multiple flares, to deter any potential attacks against innocent
individuals walking to a local mosque near Baghdad. The A-10s also
provided a show of force, again releasing multiple flares, to disperse
anti-Iraqi forces who were firing on a coalition police station and
compound. Both shows of force were reported as effective.
Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch for a planned
raid on three houses near Samarra. The pilots also provided
reconnaissance along multiple routes and the banks of the Tigris River.
The pilots reported all significant findings for possible future action
by ground commanders.
Other F-16s provided a show of force to flush out any insurgents during
a cordon set-up and search effort near Samarra. The pilots also
provided overwatch for a coalition convoy in the same area. No attacks
were reported during or after the overwatch.
Near Tikrit, F-16s conducted a show of force to scare off individuals
stealing oil from a pipeline. A JTAC confirmed it as successful in that
the individuals left the area.
Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets provided a show of force over a suspected
enemy small arms position near Baghdad. The F/A-18s then provided
overwatch of an ambulance in the same area.
Other F/A-18s reported approximately ten individuals loading objects
into a sedan outside a complex and then driving to another location.
Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados provided a show of force for a coalition
convoy receiving small arms fire after a vehicle hit an improvised
explosive device near Al Mumammad. The pilots provided overwatch until
a medical evacuation helicopter arrived on scene and was airborne.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 close-air-support missions for
Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions provided support to coalition
ground forces, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and
operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.
Additionally, 20 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.
Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift
support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and
the Horn of Africa. Nearly 145 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 660
tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 3,250 passengers were
transported.
Source and Credits:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123047067
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