Monday, September 19
AIR SUPPORT ROUNDUP, WAR ON TERROR, 09-15-2005
| IRAQ: Coalition aircraft flew 44 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Sept. 15 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to Coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Coalition aircraft also supported Iraqi and Coalition ground forces operations to create a secure environment for ongoing Transitional National Assembly meetings. U.S. Air Force F-16s performed a strike against buildings used by anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Al Haqlaniyah, expending three GBU-38s and one GBU-12 with successful effects. Additional U.S. Air Force F-16s and Navy F/A-18s and EA-6Bs provided close air support to Coalition troops in the vicinity of Al-Fallujah, Al Ramadi, Balad, Baqubah, and Mosul. Ten U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. U.S Air Force and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft also performed in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. AFGHANISTAN: Coalition aircraft flew 23 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to Coalition and Afghan troops, the parliamentary and provincial election process, and reconstruction activities, and providing presence route patrol. U.S. Air Force A-10s and a B-52 provided close air support to Coalition troops in the vicinities of Orgun-E and Shkin. Nine U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, and French Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Royal Air Force fighter aircraft also performed in a non-traditional ISR role. U.S. Air Force C-17s and C-130s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 160 airlift sorties were flown, moving nearly 280 short tons of cargo, and more than 3,725 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On Sept. 14, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, and Singapore Air Force tankers flew 35 sorties and offloaded nearly 2 million pounds of fuel. Weblog LINK |
Story LINK
