April 22 airpower summary: B-1B destroys compound

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SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed a large compound used as an anti-Afghan forces staging base. The strike employed a variety of guided bomb unit munitions and was conducted in support of an Afghan and coalition clearing operation taking place in the area.

Near Shurakian, Navy F/A-18C Hornets conducted several strafing runs, targeting anti-Afghan personnel gathering weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers from a weapons cache. The strikes resulted in the destruction of the enemy force.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II strafed an anti-Afghan motorcycle with its cannons. The aircraft carried out the strafing run after enemy personnel were spotted leaving a mortar site they had used to shell a coalition base.

In the vicinity of Sheykhabad, A-10s flew shows of force over an Afghan National Army convoy after the convoy started taking enemy fire. The aircraft, which also expended flares during their pass, dispersed enemy personnel and ended the attack on the convoy.

In the Garmser area, a coalition aircraft performed a show of force over a compound where enemy forces gathered. Following the aircraft's maneuver, the aircraft conducted tactical surveillance as the enemy personnel ran from the area.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 75 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 29 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities, and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Thirty Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three coalition and Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown; 420 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 3,000 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On April 21, Air Force tankers flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 257 receiving aircraft.