bobdina
10-05-2009, 11:47 PM
More supplies, fewer bombs drop in Afghanistan
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Oct 5, 2009 17:55:33 EDT
Constraints on the use of airpower in Afghanistan continue to reduce the number of bombs dropped there, numbers from Air Forces Central Command show.
At the same time, the use of airdrops to supply troops continues to grow.
Tighter rules on when ground commanders can call in airstrikes went into effect in June because of concerns the bombings were wounding too many civilians and becoming counterproductive to winning people’s support.
In September, coalition fighters and bombers released 257 bombs, the fewest in any September since 2006, when the Air Force began releasing data. It is also the lowest monthly total since February, when harsh winter weather limited the use of airstrikes.
Six bombs were dropped over Iraq in September,
The bomb totals don’t include airstrikes that use strafing or small rockets, or attacks by Army and Marine Corps helicopters and special operations AC-130 gunships.
Mobility airmen set a record for Operation Enduring Freedom in September by airdropping 4.1 million pounds of cargo in Afghanistan. Since January, C-130s and C-17s have parachuted in 21.3 million pounds of supplies, ranging from bottled water to artillery.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/10/airforce_September_air_power_100509w/
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Oct 5, 2009 17:55:33 EDT
Constraints on the use of airpower in Afghanistan continue to reduce the number of bombs dropped there, numbers from Air Forces Central Command show.
At the same time, the use of airdrops to supply troops continues to grow.
Tighter rules on when ground commanders can call in airstrikes went into effect in June because of concerns the bombings were wounding too many civilians and becoming counterproductive to winning people’s support.
In September, coalition fighters and bombers released 257 bombs, the fewest in any September since 2006, when the Air Force began releasing data. It is also the lowest monthly total since February, when harsh winter weather limited the use of airstrikes.
Six bombs were dropped over Iraq in September,
The bomb totals don’t include airstrikes that use strafing or small rockets, or attacks by Army and Marine Corps helicopters and special operations AC-130 gunships.
Mobility airmen set a record for Operation Enduring Freedom in September by airdropping 4.1 million pounds of cargo in Afghanistan. Since January, C-130s and C-17s have parachuted in 21.3 million pounds of supplies, ranging from bottled water to artillery.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/10/airforce_September_air_power_100509w/