News>Close air support protects coalition forces, kills 70 insurgents
Photos
An F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over rugged landscape during a mission Nov. 11, 2011. F-16s from the 121st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and F-15E Strike Eagles from the 335th EFS dropped more than 9,000 pounds of munitions through severe weather on enemy forces trying to overrun a combat outpost in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 8, 2011. Their efforts helped kill 70 insurgents and resulted in zero coalition casualties. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Brandon Cyr)
An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 11, 2011. F-15s from the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 121st EFS dropped more than 9,000 pounds of munitions through severe weather on enemy forces trying to overrun a combat outpost in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 8, 2011. Their efforts helped kill 70 insurgents and resulted in zero coalition casualties. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Matthew Hecht)
by Staff Sgt. John Wright
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
11/14/2011 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- F-15E Strike Eagles from the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 121st EFS dropped more than 9,000 pounds of munitions through severe weather on enemy forces trying to overrun a combat outpost in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 8.
According to reports, up to 70 Taliban were killed while attacking COP Margah in a large scale coordinated attack. Coalition forces were first alerted to the attack when rocket-propelled grenades began to hit the camp. Shortly thereafter, the insurgents attacked the camp from multiple positions using small arms and RPG fire.
Staff Sgt. Seth Pena, a joint terminal attack controller with the 817th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, was responsible for calling in close air support when the fighting began. He employed weapons from Navy F-18s, who were already overhead and then immediately requested a "Dude flight" of F-15s and a "Viper flight" of F-16s from Bagram Airfield.
"I requested the Dudes and Vipers because I needed a lot of ordnance and fast," Pena said. "RPGs had already hit inside the COP and things were getting serious. There was a large enemy force moving towards us from multiple positions, and we were taking a heavy amount of small arms fire."
Capt. Krista Clayson, a 335th EFS weapons system officer, was one of the "Dudes" in the air coordinating with Pena to put bombs on target.
"We could tell things were very intense on the ground," Clayson said. "As soon as we arrived on station, the JTAC had a 'nine-line' ready for us and we had bombs off the aircraft very quickly."
A nine-line is a standard brief that provides close air support crews with information on the upcoming mission.
Maj. Todd Dyer, a 335th EFS F-15E pilot, was the flight lead in "Dude 21."
"There was a large enemy force and the JTAC wanted multiple weapons in a north-south pattern on enemy fighters," Dyer said. "We ended up dropping four weapons on the first pass and then quickly received another nine-line on an enemy structure they were using to fire from. So we dropped a 2,000-pound bomb and three 500-pound bombs, all with good effects."
Due to severe weather in area, the jets were forced to fly above cloud level, which caused them to rely heavily on the JTAC for targeting information. According to Dyer, it was a challenging endeavor.
"We are able to employ precision weapons through the weather, which is one of the benefits of having GPS weapons," Dyer said. "It's a very disciplined type of attack to get weapons on target efficiently. We weren't able to use our targeting pods due to weather and had to trust what the JTAC was passing us. There was a lot of coordination and confirmation that happened in a short amount of time before we dropped, and everything worked out well."
After the Dude flight dropped their first two sets of munitions, Pena identified enemy personnel in an open area advancing on the COP and called for a 500-pound weapon that eliminated the target.
"My number one mission is to do everything I can to ensure zero coalition casualties and eliminate as many insurgents as possible," Pena said. "Where Dude flight dropped the bombs, it accomplished the ground commander's intent, which makes me feel good."
Capt. DeShane Greaser, an Army infantry commander at COP Margah, said close air support was critical to the joint fight that day.
"CAS was important to this operation because when fighters arrive on station, the insurgents can't run away fast enough," Greaser said. "On this particular night, they believed the heavy cloud cover and fog would prevent CAS from blowing them up -- it did not."
Greaser's Soldiers were heavily engaged with enemy forces from multiple directions, repelling them with small arms fire and mortar rounds when the first bombs dropped.
"The initial bombs dropped effectively changed the insurgent's minds about continuing the attack." Greaser said.
The first bombs dropped had an even more significant impact to Taliban forces than was at first apparent, according to Pena.
"There was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device heading to the COP, and after the first bombs hit, we got reports that the enemy said, 'We're turning around, there are jets overhead."'
Pena said having fighters overhead provided the ground commanders with tremendous confidence.
"When CAS is overhead, I have a very powerful asset," Pena said. "With fighters overhead, there is no chance they're going to overrun us. The Dudes and Viper flights are my favorite to work with because they perform exactly how I need them and everything happens very fast."
Dyer and Clayson both expressed their satisfaction with being able to save the lives of coalition forces on the ground.
"Of all the missions we do, and I've done multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, the missions supporting the guys on the ground are by far the most rewarding," said Dyer, a third-generation fighter pilot. "You feel the best about yourself when you help save coalition lives while deterring the enemy."
Clayson echoed the pilot's words.
"It's an awesome feeling," she said. "At the time we didn't realize the attack was as big as it was. But when you find out that all the training and hard work you put into this results in saving so many lives and eliminating that number of insurgents ... it's a very rewarding feeling."
At the end of the day, ground forces and close air support assets worked together to kill between 50 and 70 insurgents while sustaining zero coalition or civilian casualties.
Comments
9/4/2012 3:06:40 PM ET The Marsoc Bala Morghab JTAC bro this was not OEF 9 this was OEF 11 I was in a different province when this happened. And I was the only JTAC at COP Margah on the east side of the country. But yeah Bala Morghab out west was a good time too.
SSGT SETH PENA, Ft. Stewart
12/31/2011 11:39:54 PM ET JTAC Dan, you are right. I am thinking of a different fire fight. Great job, DEVR flights
MARSOC JTAC, BMG
12/18/2011 12:15:03 PM ET MARSOC JTAC, the article is correct. You weren't anywhere near there. Paktika, not Bagdis.
JTAC Dan, Paktika
11/29/2011 10:43:20 AM ET Roc in Florida: Any clue why we have 25- or 50-year timeframes on held information? The info is this article is current and future reference for the bad guy. You may have never had OPSEC training. Anyone with a concern and sense of urgency for the war effort would. Eric from Maxwell seems to get it wish others would.
SMS Mike, AZ
11/23/2011 6:22:35 PM ET Anyone who cares, I was one of two JTACs on the ground during this engagement. Pena and I worked side-by-side on every drop in that village. I do not know what COP Margah is. They must mean FOB Todd in Bala Morghab. We were not at a COP, we were strung along a dirt road on a hillside. There was a solid cloud deck at 500 AGL. We did not request any particular airframe, we were taken anyone of could reach us. This account of that day is a little distorted. Many brave men rose to the occasion that dark day. I am honored to have been among them Semper FI.MARSOC JTAC Bala Morghab AFG
MARSOC JTAC Bala Morghab AFG, Colorado
11/21/2011 11:57:00 AM ET OPSEC anyone?
Eric, Maxwell
11/18/2011 9:57:41 AM ET Way to go TACP's, aka JTAC's Everyday out there doing jobs with almost no recognition. Now if the AF would take you serious, they might actually find a home for your tech school instead of letting you reside in other people's abandoned buildings.Keep trucking bro's.
BMRR, FL
11/18/2011 9:46:34 AM ET To the OPSEC guy. THis is not a future OP. It was a counter offensive that already happened. Just in case you didn't know, the bad guys already know we are there. Good job to all involved. Stay in the fight.
Roc, Florida
11/17/2011 12:57:19 PM ET Awesome job, Chiefs! We love you all and pray daily for your success and safety. Get those BFTs. Burns sends his fire.
Princess Foot In Mouth, Vegas
11/17/2011 8:36:16 AM ET Am I the only one seeing that this article is an OPSEC disaster? Way too much specific information in one place here. Endangerment for the mission, these personnel and their families is now a possibility. Even my base OPSEC officer is in concurrance with this opinion.
SMS Mike, Arizona
11/17/2011 7:27:12 AM ET Go Air Guard!
Anthony Christmas SMSgt , 177th FWNJANG
11/17/2011 7:09:01 AM ET Keep up the good work guys. Stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Retired Chief Dan Mallam, DCANG Andrews
11/16/2011 4:27:12 PM ET USAF 70 Taliban 0Airpower
Lt Col Smith, Robins AFB
11/16/2011 12:02:13 PM ET Caveman Bedrock: I am here and I witnessed the dude flights come back down a few thousand pounds lighter. This story a week old face it we know how to FSU IYAAYAS
USAF IYAAYAS, Yes
11/16/2011 5:06:38 AM ET Its always a good feeling to know CAS is on station. I was caught 200m across a river from our vehicles trying to find a trigger point from an IED explosion when we were ambushed with RPG's and SAF. The strafe and bomb run by DUDE helped provide the suppression and distraction needed for me to get back to our vehicles. Thanks guys. SSG Jay H. Ellison, 45th BSTB, 45th IBCT OKARNG
SSG Jay Ellison , Cop Xio Haq Afghanistan
11/16/2011 12:37:41 AM ET So severe weather to a Fighter Pilot is a cloud deck 180-300ish?
Heavy Guy, KAF
11/15/2011 11:21:03 PM ET Great work by the Army Unit and especially the JTAC ROMAD and aircraft. WTF Caveman Bedrock: Use this story to ask why we are there. Wait till we pull out and we will see where the next battle is fought. At least we know where it is now and more importantly it is not here. Careful what you wish for.
B Terry, Idaho
11/15/2011 4:05:36 PM ET WAY TO GO USAF TACP! KEEP IT UP! When you're all out of HUA USAF TACP.
John, Vegas
11/15/2011 3:26:32 PM ET I am currently stationed at Bagram as was at work when this all happened. Can't tell you how good it is to know what we do puts bombs on targets and ultimatley prevents the demise of a fellow American. GET SOME!
TSgt Archer, Bagram AB
11/15/2011 8:28:18 AM ET Kudos to all involved. But this story could have been from 2007, 2008, 2009 or 2010. These outlying FOBs continue to get overrun. Why are we still in Afghanistan? Are we making any progress?
Caveman, Bedrock
11/15/2011 12:53:06 AM ET Way to go Chiefs and 121st. Keep up the outstanding work!
Load, Vegas
11/14/2011 6:30:33 PM ET You just cannot be more proud and amazed at our guys doing what they do with such precision and efficiency, but most of all with pride and professionalism. USA all the way!
