NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Southwest Asia
 
October 11, 2007

Release Number 2007-1011-05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The "So What Factor" puts Airpower Summary in perspective

SOUTHWEST ASIA - The Combined Air and Space Operations Center's (CAOC) airpower summary provides a daily account of the integration and synchronization of airpower.  But some folks may ask: So what?  What does this summary really mean?

The "So What Factor" for today's APS is that five dozen Coalition soldiers and airmen battling Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan are alive today due to 19 consecutive hours of airpower.  The scoop: The CAOC received a request for assistance from "troops in contact" - meaning Coalition ground forces were encountering enemy fire. CAOC operations and planners provided eight A-10s, four F-15Es, one B-1, AWACs and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets. Demonstrating the old adage 'NKAWTG', tankers were in the mix.  The mission was guided by the Air Support Operations Center and controlled from the Combined Reporting Center.  Taliban were defeated and Coalition ground forces were empowered using such airpower tactics as shows of force, strafing runs and, when needed, precision air strikes.  As the ground forces later told the CAOC, "It was the middle of 'bad guy' territory and the only firepower available to them is what the SODO (senior offensive duty

officer) found for us...Your folks flexed for us and were able to deliver the desperately need firepower."

The following is the airpower summary for operations on Oct 10.

In Afghanistan, Air Force aircraft proved to be the decisive force during a day long firefight. 

While waiting for egress support in the vicinity of Uruzgan, a group of about 50 Coalition forces were attacked by an unknown number of enemy combatants.  Joint Terminal Attack Controllers assigned to the units called in continuous airpower to deter the aggressors and destroy their fighting positions.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, F-15E Strike Eagles, and a B-1B Lancer combined to provide more than nineteen hours of close air support for Coalition soldiers on the ground. 

The F-15Es and A-10s provided four "show of force" over flights, deterring the enemy from attacking friendly forces. 

In addition, the A-10s conducted strafing runs using cannon rounds, GBU-12s and a rocket.  The F-15Es conducted strafing runs and dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s.

The B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-31s and GBU-38s. 

As a result of the efforts of the aircrew and the JTACs on the ground, all Coalition personnel were able to egress safely from the area, with only one reported injury.

In Kandahar, A-10s engaged enemy positions with cannon fire.  The enemy combatants were attacking Coalition forces.  The JTAC confirmed that the mission was successful.

An enemy gun position was bombed with GBU-38s by F-15s in Kandahar.  The mission was deemed a success by the JTAC.

During the same mission, an F-15 conducted a show of force with flares to deter enemy activities in Kandahar.  The JTAC confirmed that the desired effect was achieved.

In Tarin Kowt, A Royal Air Force Harrier GR-9 bombed a compound containing enemy combatants with a general purpose 540 pound bomb.

Coalition forces were taking fire from the compound.  The JTAC confirmed a successful strike.

During the same engagement, a French Mirage 2000 conducted an air strike on the enemy compound with a GBU-12 in Tarin Kowt.  The desired effect was achieved and the mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

In Gardez, A-10s engaged enemy personnel with cannon rounds and a GBU-12. The JTAC confirmed that the desired result was achieved.

During that same mission, A-10s used a general-purpose 500 pound bomb and cannon rounds to engage enemy personnel near Ali Kheyl.  The JTAC confirmed the mission was successful.

In Ali Kheyl, F-15s engaged enemy personnel with a GBU-12 and cannon rounds. The JTAC confirmed that the target was hit successfully.

In total, 43 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.  Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, a B-1B bombed two bridges with GBU-31s and GBU-38s near Al Muqdadiyah. One bridge was occupied with enemy combatants and the other was used as crossing point by enemy personnel.  The JTAC confirmed the mission was successful.

A Navy F/A-18C Hornet struck a roadside improvised explosive device with a GBU-51 in Al Muqdadiyah.  The JTAC confirmed that the target was destroyed.

Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons using GBU-38s to strike IEDs discovered near Al Muqdadiyah.  The JTAC confirmed that the IEDs were destroyed.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 66 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom.  These missions supported Coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Eighteen Air Force and Navy Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.  Additionally, seven Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force 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.

Approximately 146 airlift sorties were flown; 386 tons of cargo were delivered, and 4,310 passengers were transported.  This included approximately 52,480 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan. 

Coalition C-130 crews from Canada, Australia, Japan and Iraq flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Oct. 9, U.S. Air Force, French and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 248 receiving aircraft.

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For more information or for high-resolution photos, contact U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs at commercial 011-974-458-9555 then connect to DSN 436-4381/4014/4379 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .