A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for June 2009

by Joachim Jacob

From the "Airpower Summaries", released on USAF's public main website, for June 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).

Jun 1: Near Tarin Kowt, an F-15E Strike Eagle and A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted shows of force and launched flares to stop an enemy attack against a coalition forward base. The shooting stopped after the aircraft made their presence known, allowing base personnel to regroup and resume operations.

A convoy passing through Ghazni was attacked by anti-Afghan forces personnel with an improvised explosive device, but sustained no damage or injuries. The unit called in an A-10 for a show of force to prevent the enemy from making a follow-on attack.

Jun 2: An A-10 Thunderbolt II strafed enemy forces in a field near Ali Kheyl during an engagement between anti-Afghan gunmen and coalition and Afghan security forces. The aircraft followed up with shows of force to suppress the enemy, helping friendly forces disengage and regroup.

Jun 3: A flight of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs hunted enemy snipers near Shahidan. Using smoke rounds to verify targets followed up with 30mm cannon strafes of each hostile position, the aircraft ended the sniper's attack on Afghan and coalition forces.

Near Asadabad, F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10s engaged during two anti-Afghan forces attacks on Afghan and coalition personnel. The F-15Es used guided bomb unit-31s and a GBU-38 to take out a group of heavy grenade launchers manned by enemy personnel, then escorted a convoy with a damaged vehicle back to base. Nearby, A-10s dropped a series of GBU-38s to strike enemy forces in fighting positions along a treeline. The A-10s also performed a show of force to deter a second attack.

Jun 4: Near Ali Kheyl, an A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted strafing runs, engaging enemy forces fighting positions. Gunmen armed with assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenades had been firing on an Afghan National Army and Police convoy prior to the strafes.

A-10s conducted shows of force near Konduz, expending flares to deter an enemy RPG and gunfire attack on an Afghan and coalition convoy. The A-10s remained overhead to provide cover to the convoy's withdrawal.

During combat in Gardez, an A-10 flew a show of force for a coalition unit conducting an operation near the perimeter of their forward base. The unit came under fire from anti-Afghan forces using RPGs and automatic weapons prior to the maneuver, which stopped the attack.

Jun 5: No A-10 info

Jun 6: In the area near Gardez, an A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force when anti-Afghan forces detonated a roadside bomb and started firing at and shelling an Afghan convoy from a nearby ridgeline. The show of force, emphasized with the expenditure of flares, stopped enemy fire so the convoy could move on to safety.

Jun 7: Not released

Jun 8: An A-10 Thunderbolt II carried out a show of force near Asmar and expended flares after a coalition observation post came under mortar attack. The jet's arrival ended the mortar fire.

Jun 9: An A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted strafing attacks anti-Afghan forces during a firefight in Asadabad. The aircraft also carried out shows of force and launched flares to deter an enemy counterattack.

In the Bagram area, an A-10 carried out a show of force to deter enemy aggression against a coalition forward base. Sentries at the installation had detected enemy forces preparing for an imminent attack, but the attack was prevented when the Thunderbolt arrived on scene. An F-15E also flew shows of force in the wider Bagram area to discourage additional enemy activity.

Jun 10: Near Konduz, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted strafing runs to take out a group of anti-Afghan forces firing at and mortaring a coalition forward base from surrounding treelines. The aircraft performed a show of force and launched flares upon arrival, but when enemy gunmen continued firing, the aircraft used its 30mm Vulcan cannon to root out the positions. The aircraft marked enemy positions with smoke rounds and confirmed the locations with ground forces prior to opening fire, ensuring the right targets had been identified.

An A-10 was called in after enemy personnel attacked an Afghan National Army convoy and then fled the area in a van. The A-10 used a smoke round as warning shot to stop the van, which was then intercepted by ANA troops who captured the enemy personnel. The A-10 performed shows of force over the area to prevent outside enemy intervention.

Another A-10 and a coalition aircraft targeted anti-Afghan forces personnel with strafes and GBU-38s in Tarin Kowt. The jets struck groups of enemy gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and assault rifles after the shooters instigated a firefight.

An A-10 conducted several shows of force near Orgun to deter an enemy unit attacking a friendly convoy. The convoy was taking automatic weapons fire from several locations, which stopped after the aircraft's maneuvers.

Jun 11: In the vicinity of Asadabad, an A-10 Thunderbolt II used a GBU-38 to take out enemy gunmen who had been attacking a coalition observation post. Enemy personnel opened fire on the position and conducted rocket attacks. An additional A-10 conducted a show of force in the area to deter an attack against a coalition convoy.

Near Lashkar Gah, A-10s marked positions along a treeline with smoke rounds before engaging with their cannons in several strafing passes. The targets were enemy personnel dug in throughout the grove who were firing into a coalition forward base.

A coalition aircraft along with A-10s and F-15Es conducted shows of force in several other areas of Afghanistan including Asadabad, Sangin, Gereshk, and Lashkar Gah. The shows of force served as a warning, deterring enemy forces preparing attacks against Afghan and coalition units operating in those areas. It also prevented enemy gunmen from interfering with combined Afghan-coalition reconstruction missions intended to make Afghanistan civilians safer and more prosperous.

Jun 12: F-15Es and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew shows of force near Qalat, Gardez and Lashkar Gah to deter additional enemy attacks on convoys traveling through those areas. The presence of strike aircraft prevented anti-Afghan forces from acting, allowing Afghan and coalition combined forces humanitarian supply missions and security operations to succeed.

Jun 13: In the vicinity of Tarin Kowt, an A-10 Thunderbolt II flew shows of force, expending flares, to stop an imminent enemy attack on a coalition unit. The jet also provided armed overwatch for the unit as it proceeded to its objective.

Jun 14: An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II used its 30mm cannon to strafe enemy forces armed with assault rifles taking cover in a treeline. The A-10 then conducted a show of force to discourage any potential enemy counterattack.

An A-10 executed a show of force, expending flares, while flying cover for a coalition convoy moving through Shinkay. The unit's movement went smoothly, allowing them to deliver their supplies without anti-Afghan forces provoking violence.

Jun 15: Near Conduz, F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs executed multiple strafing runs on a tree line containing enemy forces and eliminating the threat. In addition to 20 and 30mm munitions fired by the F15Es and A-10s, the A-10s expended smoke rounds to help mark targets prior to the strafing passes. The aircraft continued to provide ground forces armed overwatch and shows of force and expended flares to successful quell enemy activity.

A-10s near Ghazni carried out shows of force, expending flares, to stop enemy small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire on a friendly forces convoy which had been hit by an improvised explosive device. The aircraft performed multiple strafing passes with 30mm cannons on enemy forces engaged with coalition soldiers. Each pass hit their targets and were deemed successful by ground controllers.

Jun 16: An A-10 Thunderbolt II executed shows of force, expending flares, while flying cover for a coalition convoy moving through Bagram in Eastern Afghanistan. The aircraft deterred an enemy attack from taking place.

Jun 17: In Asadabad, A-10 Thunderbolts employed a combination of GBU-38s, strafes and 500-pound general purpose bombs against anti-Afghan forces. The fighters used enemy muzzle flashes to help locate some of the enemy shooters, and marked others using smoke rounds to ensure positive target identification.

An A-10 flew a show of force over Qalat, expending a number of flares, in order to deter enemy aggression. Anti-Afghan forces had been launching mortar attacks from a position within the town at Afghan security forces.

Jun 18: An A-10 Thunderbolt II carried out a show of force over the Asmar area. An Afghan and coalition forces foot patrol was walking through a village when enemy forces hiding in civilian buildings started firing RPGs and automatic weapons into the streets without regard for local residents. The A-10's appearance over town prompted the shooters to break off the attack.

In Ghazni, enemy personnel set up an improvised explosive device to attack a coalition convoy, shot at Afghan National Army personnel, then occupied a school and continued firing in a clear attempt to draw return fire onto civilians. Coalition personnel discovered the IED before it was detonated and were disarming it when the enemy started shooting, leading them to radio for a show of force to deter the enemy. An A-10 responded, flying a low pass over the school and expending flares. The maneuver caused anti-Afghan forces to stop firing and disperse from the village, ending their hostile action.

A-10s carried out shows of force over Orgun and Sheykhabad to deter enemy fire against coalition and Afghan security forces. Their attacks were stopped without further incident.

Jun 19: Not released

Jun 20: Not released

Jun 21: Not released

Jun 22: In the Orgun Area, an A-10 Thunderbolt II used general purpose 500-pound bombs to take out enemy forces in fighting positions along a ridgeline. The enemy positions had been targeting friendly forces with RPG and automatic weapons fire.

Jun 23: In Konduz, several A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were called in to provide support for friendly ground troops who were taking enemy fire after a convoy vehicle became stuck in the road. The aircraft's visible presence stopped enemy fire and allowed friendly soldiers to regroup and withdraw safely to continue on with their missions.

An A-10 flew a show of force and expended flares over Asadabad after enemy forces started shooting at an Afghan and coalition unit. The maneuver led enemy personnel to cease fire and withdraw.

Jun 24: No A-10 info

Jun 25: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed anti-Afghan forces personnel in a Surkhabad orchard with their 30mm cannons. The enemy had opened fire on an Afghan and coalition ground unit with rocket-propelled grenades.

An A-10 carried out a show of force in the vicinity of Tirgari and performed tactical reconnaissance in order to protect a friendly convoy after one of the vehicles was hit by a roadside bomb. The unit was able to regroup and move on safely.

Jun 26: An A-10 Thunderbolt II flying over Bagram flew a show of force and expended numerous flares to deter enemy aggression against a coalition forward base. Enemy personnel had fired at the base with RPGs and machine guns but dispersed when the aircraft arrived.

Jun 27: Near Asadabad, an A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped GBU-38s on an enemy cave after gunmen inside shot at coalition and Afghan troops. The cave was collapsed and the enemy fighting position destroyed along with it.

An A-10 flew a show of force and expended flares while escorting a friendly convoy through Jalalabad. The show of force prevented an enemy attack from occurring.

Jun 28: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flying cover for a friendly unit engaged enemy forces who were shooting at coalition troops returning to a forward base near Asadabad. After first flying a show of force and expending flares to warn away the attacking enemy gunmen, the aircraft next used smoke markers to suppress enemy fire then escalated to live strafing passes after the gunmen kept shooting. The enemy fighting positions were destroyed by the jets' cannons.

An A-10 flew a show of force during a convoy escort mission near Asadabad in order to prevent anti-Afghan forces from being able to take action. The convoy travelled past the area without incident, avoiding the possible threat posed by an enemy attack for friendly troops and area residents.

Jun 29: No A-10 info

Jun 30: No A-10 info

See also:
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for May 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for April 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for March 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for February 2009
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