A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for February 2009

by Joachim Jacob

From the "Airpower Summaries", released on USAF's public main website, for February 2009 I extracted and edited all available info related to A-10 Thunderbolt II combat missions in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom). The mostly daily airpower summaries for OEF and OIF are provided by Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) officials at Al Udeid AB, Qatar. According to the sources, all of the listed missions were confirmed successful by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs).

Feb. 1: An A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force, expending flares to stop enemy personnel from shooting at a coalition convoy. The enemy withdrew following the maneuver, allowing the supply convoy to safely continue on its mission. Over the Nangalam area, an A-10 flew a show of force to deter enemy action in the area where a coalition ground unit was conducting its mission. The A-10 provided aerial overwatch afterward.

Feb. 2: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force over Nangalam in order to deter an enemy group gathering for attack on a coalition patrol. The enemy personnel broke off after the aircraft passed overhead. A-10s and F-15E Strike Eagles along with coalition aircraft performed shows of force in several areas including Qarah Bagh, Ghazni and Musa Qala to prevent additional anti-Afghan forces actions.

Feb. 3: Near Nangalam, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-15E Strike Eagles coordinated attacks with marking rockets and GBU-31s to target anti-Afghan forces firing heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. A Strike Eagle also flew a show of force to deter additional enemy activity. A-10s along with Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets and coalition aircraft flew shows of force over Monari, Ghazni and Tarin Kowt to discourage activity from enemy forces. Shows of force provide a level of non-lethal aerial engagement in support of coalition missions.

Feb. 4: No A-10 info

Feb. 5: An A-10 Thunderbolt II destroyed an anti-Afghan rocket position preparing to fire on a coalition base. The strike, employing a guided bomb unit-38, took place in the vicinity of Orgun. An A-10 executed a show of force to suppress enemy fire during an engagement between coalition troops and anti-Afghan gunmen. Enemy forces had unsuccessfully attempted to assault a coalition forward base in the Orgun region. A dismounted coalition patrol called in an A-10 to fly a show of force to deter enemy activity and provide aerial overwatch as they patrolled near Bagram. The patrol conducted operations to increase security in the region and provide humanitarian aid for local residents. An A-10 and an F-15E also flew shows of force near Kandahar and Ghazni respectively in order to prevent enemy attacks in those areas.

Feb. 6: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted multiple anti-Afghan firing positions near Bagram using general purpose 500-pound bombs and 30mm cannon strafes. Enemy gunmen had opened fire on a coalition unit with intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire when the jets engaged, destroying the enemy positions. Following the engagement an A-10 flew a show of force over the area to deter further enemy action. An A-10 also flew a show of force to deter enemy activity during a coalition ground operation near Monari.

Feb. 7: A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, and a coalition aircraft each performed a show of force to deter enemy actions near Lashkar Gah, Soltani, and Qalat. The aircraft also provided tactical reconnaissance for coalition ground forces in their respective areas.

Feb. 8: An A-10 Thunderbolt II executed pre-planned strikes with GBU-38s on enemy targets in the vicinity of Morghab, supporting coalition operations. A-10s flew shows of force in the vicinity of Ghazni and Moqor to deter enemy activity against coalition convoys transiting the areas. The convoys reached their destinations safely under aerial escort.

Feb. 9: An A-10 Thunderbolt II flew several shows of force near Sheykhabad during an extended enemy attack on a coalition convoy. The A-10 flew in as anti-Afghan forces, hiding in civilian settlements, opened fire on the convoy with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and wire-detonated improvised explosives at several points along the route. Each time, the aircraft's maneuvers caused the enemy to cease fire long enough for the convoy to safely withdraw and continue to its destination.

Feb. 10: No A-10 info

Feb. 11: Over Sheykhabad, an A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force for a coalition convoy being shot at by enemy gunmen. Passing over the enemy's position while expending flares, the aircraft deterred the shooters and caused them to withdraw. The convoy was able to continue safely on under the A-10's protection. Another A-10 flew a similar mission in the area later in the day. An A-10 flew a show of force and expended flares to disrupt an enemy ambush on a coalition convoy following detonation of an IED along a highway near Gardez. The convoy was able to withdraw and continue on its mission following the maneuver.

Feb. 12: No A-10 info

Feb. 13: Not released

Feb. 14: Not released

Feb. 15: Near Jalalabad, an A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-15E performed shows of force to prevent enemy actions.

Feb. 16: Near Orgun, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used their 30mm cannons and general purpose 500-pound bombs to destroy an enemy mortar position near Orgun. The strike was called in after the position began launching mortar rounds toward a coalition forward base. An A-10 flew a show of force over Gardez to prevent rocket attacks on a coalition forward base sited in the area. The attack caused suspicious individuals near the site of a previous rocket firing position to scatter. In Nangalam, another A-10 flew a show of force to discourage anti-Afghan force activity as coalition representatives met with local leaders. The aircraft remained overhead keeping watch and serving as a visible deterrent.

Feb. 17: An A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force near Orgun, responding to a call from a unit that had been taking enemy small arms fire. The aircraft's appearance presented a deterrent to enemy personnel, who stopped shooting and withdrew.

Feb. 18: An A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force near a coalition forward base in Ghazni to stop a potential enemy attack against a convoy nearby. The A-10 also provided air cover for the convoy along its supply route.

Feb. 19: An A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force over Bagram to deter enemy action near a coalition observation post. Coalition troops manning the post called in the A-10s to increase local security when they observed individuals engaged in suspicious activity. The individuals left the area when the aircraft flew overhead. In the Asadabad area, an A-10 flew a show of force to prevent enemy activity. Coalition soldiers conducting a security operation requested the maneuver to increase presence and deter violence during the operation.

Feb. 20: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs destroyed a series of anti-Afghan fighting positions while providing close air support during an extended firefight on the ground. After a show of force and a warning shot with a smoke-marking round went unheeded, the jets engaged enemy positions with general purpose 500-pound munitions and 30mm Avenger cannon strafes. Coalition ground units reported all enemy fire had stopped after the strikes. A-10s and a coalition aircraft flew shows of force over Ghazni, Bagram, and Lashkar Gah as deterrence against enemy action while coalition units performed their missions. The aircraft served as an additional measure of security for coalition forces' ongoing security and reconstruction efforts.

Feb. 21: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew a show of force near a coalition forward base in the vicinity of Kandahar. The maneuver telegraphed the coalition's protective presence to the public and served as a deterrent to any enemy forces in the area. Additional A-10s performed a show of force near Ghazni as a dismounted coalition unit performed security and reconstruction operations there. The mission was carried out without interference after the aircraft established a visible presence.

Feb. 22: In the vicinity of Shurakian, many coalition aircraft provided air support for an ambushed coalition convoy after one vehicle was disabled by an improvised explosive device. Enemy forces took cover and pulled back from the immediate area when the aircraft arrived. An A-10 Thunderbolt II destroyed an additional IED using a GBU-38 as the convoy prepared to depart. An A-10 intervened after anti-Afghan forces in fortified positions near Nangalam engaged a coalition convoy with rocket-propelled grenade and assault-weapons fire. The A-10 used a GBU-38 and 30mm cannon strafes to destroy the enemy positions. Near Moqor, an A-10 flew a show of force and expended flares after a coalition convoy started taking enemy small-arms fire from a civilian settlement. The enemy's fire was suppressed long enough for the convoy to withdraw and complete the mission.

Feb. 23: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided air cover during an engagement at the request of a coalition convoy taking fire from anti-Afghan fighting positions outside Nangalam. The A-10s engaged, rolling in with 30mm cannon strafes to destroy the fortifications, freeing up the convoy to safely complete its mission.

Feb. 24: No A-10 info.

Feb. 25: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and an F-15E performed a number of shows of force in Bagram and Kabul to disperse suspicious people gathering along the road or engaged in suspicious behavior along the routes of several coalition convoys. The convoys proceeded to their destinations without interference and without coalition forces needing to employ lethal force. In Ghazni, an A-10 flew a show of force near a coalition forward base when sentries detected suspicious activity near the base perimeter. The maneuver provided a deterrent against any further enemy action.

Feb. 26: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew shows of force near Nangalam and expended flares to deter attack as a coalition convoy approached a suspected enemy location. Enemy forces had already fired RPGs at the convoy prior to the arrival of the A-10s, but the convoy was able to successfully complete its mission. Near Bagram, A-10s performed a preemptive show of force to deter anti-Afghan action as a convoy leaving the area assumed travelling formation. The aircraft continued to fly above the convoy providing overwatch until it safely returned to base. A-10s executed a show of force and expended flares near Asadabad after receiving reports of potential enemy movement. A coalition unit requested the maneuver to preserve peace as they performed security and reconstruction operations in the area.

Feb. 27: Near Bari Kowt, an A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force near a coalition observation post after ground forces starting receiving small arms fire. Enemy fire ceased upon the aircraft's arrival. Near Orgun, an A-10 conducted a show of force to put a stop to an enemy attack. The A-10 arrived shortly after coalition ground troops had taken rocket propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire. An A-10 carried out a show of force near Ghazni after a coalition unit spotted individuals acting suspiciously near a supply route through a civilian settlement. After ground observers determined it likely that the individuals were preparing to place an improvised explosive device, the aircraft carried out the maneuver to discourage the group.

Feb. 28: Near Orgun, F-15Es interdicted a group of enemy personnel who had crossed Afghanistan's mountainous border to attack friendly patrols. The jets hit the enemy group using GBU-38s and a strafing pass, ending their attempt to flee back across the border. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided additional shows of force in the area to discourage further enemy activity. An A-10 performed a show of force near Nangalam to disperse enemy forces firing heavy machine guns from a concealed location at a coalition ground unit. The maneuver succeeded in stopping the attack.

See also:
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for January 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for December 2008
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for November 2008
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for October 2008