5 mei
A Navy F/A-18F and an Air Force B-1B Lancer flew shows of force near Tarin Kowt after enemy forces detonated an IED against an Afghan and coalition convoy. The arrival of aircraft deterred additional confrontation and allowed the convoy to proceed without further hindrance.
12 mei
In the vicinity of Tarin Kowt, a GR-9 flew a show of force to deter RPG and small-arms fire against Afghan National Army patrols. The aircraft also located a group of people who appeared to be planting an improvised explosive device and called in Afghan security forces to question the individuals.
15 mei
Near Oruzgan, an Air Force F-15E targeted groups of enemy gunmen in a treeline using a GBU-12 and -38. The gunmen had been firing on a friendly unit passing along an adjacent roadway. The aircraft also flew a show of force following the weapons drops to drive off remaining enemy personnel.
16 mei
A provincial reconstruction team operating in Tarin Kowt called in an A-10 to perform a show of force to prevent enemy activity. The team was engaged in rebuilding operations and was concerned that anti-Afghan forces were preparing an attack to stop their assistance effort.
19 mei
In the vicinity of Tarin Kowt, a B-1B and a coalition aircraft strafed an enemy fighting position and dropped a GBU-38 during an exchange of fire between the enemy forces and Afghan and coalition troops. The coalition aircraft also performed shows of force to deter additional enemy aggression.
Strike Eagles conducted shows of force over Asadabad and Tarin Kowt to discourage enemy attacks. The shows of force provided additional security for Afghan and coalition missions, allowing their support to reconstruction efforts to proceed without interference.
24 mei
In Afghanistan, an extended battle took place near Oruzgan which began after an anti-Afghan forces improvised explosive device-initiated ambush hit a friendly convoy. Increasing numbers of aircraft arrived to provide cover and attack enemy targets. Arriving aircraft included Air Force B-1B Lancers, F-15E Strike Eagles and MQ-1B Predators and Navy F/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets. The aircraft struck enemy fighting positions and personnel along ridgelines and in nearby orchards using a variety of guided bomb unit types.
25 mei
In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier along with Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets conducted strikes in the Tarin Kowt area after a friendly unit discovered an improvised explosive device and saw enemy forces setting up for an ambush. The jets used rockets and guided bomb unit-38s to hit enemy positions set up along a roadside treeline and along a riverbank. An aircraft also tracked the movement of an enemy spotter on a motorbike, allowing a follow-on strike on hostile emplacements firing on the friendly unit with mortars and sporadic gunshots.
28 mei
In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, F-15E Strike Eagles and a Navy F/A-18C Hornet employed a variety of munitions during an engagement near Oruzgan. The strikes, using various guided bomb unit munitions, general purpose 500-pound bombs and cannon strafes, targeted anti-Afghan forces who were detected preparing for an attack on an Afghan and coalition unit. A convoy vehicle had been hit by an improvised explosive device, prompting the ground forces commander to call in air support.
31 mei
Near Tarin Kowt, an F/A-18C carried out shows of force to cover a coalition resupply convoy as it travelled to a forward installation. The mission was completed without incident.
(Bron: Amerikaanse luchtmacht (www.af.mil))
