Afghanistan airstrikes highest since July 2008

By Bruce Rolfsen
Posted : Wednesday Nov 11, 2009 13:46:08 EST

The number of airstrikes in Afghanistan was up in October, according to Air Forces Central Command.

Coalition warplanes dropped 647 bombs during 2,359 close-air support sorties, AFCent figures show. The bomb total is the highest since July 2008, when 752 bombs were released.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — An F-16 Fighting Falcon, from the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, waits to receive an inspection here, Oct. 11, 2009. The aircraft receive inspections before takeoff and after landing to ensure the safety of the aircraft and pilot. Known as the “Tigers,” the F-16s are deployed from the 79th Fighter Squadron out of Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. The Tigers mission while here is to provide tactical air-to-air and air-to-ground support while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Felicia Juenke)

While ground commanders have restricted the use of bombs to prevent civilian casualties, air operations increased as troops in remote areas came under attack.

Over Iraq, the use of bombs continues to be rare. AFCent reported only two bombs were dropped in 742 sorties in October.

The airstrike numbers don’t include strafing runs, attacks by special operations AC-130 gunships, launches of small missiles or helicopter attacks.

In supply operations, C-130s and C-17s airdropped 2.8 million pounds of supplies in Afghanistan.

Reconnaissance planes flew 1,793 missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.