Allied Airpower 25/04

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AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR APRIL 24
Release Date:
4/25/2007


SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer provided overwatch for a Coalition convoy near Qarah Bagh. No attacks were reported after the B-1B’s arrival.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets provided a show of force for a Coalition forces position near Saraw. A Joint Terminal Attack Controller confirmed it was successful and no further attacks were reported. The aircrews also provided overwatch for a Coalition patrol in the same area.

French Air Force M-2000 Mirages provided a show of force for a Coalition forces position near Asadabad. No attacks were reported after the M-2000 arrival.


In total, 41 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine, U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.


In Iraq, U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons searched for mortar positions and improvised explosive device activity near Baghdad. The pilots were then assigned to look for anti-Iraqi militia hiding nearby. They reported the coordinates of three hot spots.

Other F-16s performed armed overwatch for Coalition forces who received small arms fire near Salman Pak. The pilots reported three individuals hiding along a fence near a mosque.


U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided a show of force, releasing multiple flares, for a Coalition forces’ raid near Baqubah. A JTAC reported the show of force was successful. The pilots also provided reconnaissance in the area and reported suspicious activity to a JTAC.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets provided a show of force, releasing multiple flares, for Coalition forces receiving small arms fire near Yusufiyah. A Joint Terminal Attack Controller confirmed it was successful and no further attacks were reported.

Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados provided overwatch to look for snipers for a Explosive Ordinance Disposal team near Yusufiyah. The aircrews then were assigned to look for a truck involved in an engagement with Coalition forces. The aircrew found a truck matching the description of the truck in the attack, at a building nearby. Individuals were reported to be unloading objects from the truck.

Other GR-4s provided shows of force for Coalition forces near a crowd of approximately 250 people near Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed it dispersed the crowd and no attacks were reported.
In total, Coalition aircraft flew 55 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported Coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, watched over reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Fifteen U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. 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. More than 125 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 410 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,200 passengers were transported.


Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq, Japan and South Korea flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On April 22, U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 50 sorties and off-loaded more than 3 million pounds of fuel.