In Afghanistan, an Air ForceB-1B Lancer bomber destroyed an anti-Afghan forces staging area andseveral enemy positions in the area around Now Zad using guided bombunit -31s and -38s. Enemy forces had targeted coalition units usingheavy machine guns and automatic weapons prior to the bomber's arrival.
Coalition ground forces called in several NavyF/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18E Super Hornets to hit enemy targets in thevicinity of Kajaki Dam, including an enemy mortar position, observationposts, communication tunnels and a spotter position in a walled compound.A variety of GBU-series precision weaponry was used to carry out thestrike, which took place in response to anti-Afghan mortar fire.
An F/A-18C and a coalition fighter aircraftused a GBU-12 and GBU-38, as well as a strafing pass to strikeanti-Afghan forces spotted gathering in a staging area near Musa Qala. Enemy forces were engaged in readying rockets for launch againstcoalition units. The coalition aircraft struck a large group of enemycombatants, while the Hornet hit a series of pillboxes and bunkers inthe area. The Hornet also attacked enemy targets in Now Zad followingreports of enemy fire there.
Near Qarah Bagh, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show offorce to suppress enemy mortar fire against a coalition outpost. Theaircraft passed over the enemy mortar position, expending flares,prompting enemy forces to end their indirect fire attack.
A pair of A-10s performed a show of force to deter enemy aggressionin the Sheykhabad region in response to enemy gunfire against acoalition convoy. The maneuver succeeded in ending the firefight so theconvoy could continue on its mission.
A coalition aircraft and an A-10 executed shows of force nearLashkar Gah and Nangalam to prevent enemy activity in those locations.The aircraft supported coalition ground forces carrying out securityand reconstruction efforts.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
In total, 74 close-air-support missions were flown in support ofISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and routepatrols.
Nineteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissanceaircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Inaddition, two Navy aircraft provided tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 28 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom.These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition groundforces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch forreconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostileactivities.
Twenty-five Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part ofoperations in Iraq. In addition, three Air Force and coalition aircraftprovided tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs providedintra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughoutAfghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 125 airlift sortieswere flown, 500 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,250 passengerswere transported. Airlift included approximately 75,600 tons of aerialresupply cargo airdropped over Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On April 2, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 265 receiving aircraft.
