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| U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, from the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, like the ones shown here, helped provide 176 consecutive hours of air support and drop more than 100 bombs in support of Operation Hammer Down II. Air Force close air support assets played a critical role in the success of the operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael B. Keller) |
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| U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, from 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, like the one shown here, helped provide 176 consecutive hours of air support and drop more than 100 bombs in support of Operation Hammer Down II. Air Force close air support assets played a critical role in the success of the operation. |
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| Senior Airman Michael McAffrey from Tacoma, Wash., a joint terminal attack controller with the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, Washington Air National Guard, patrols alongside a field near Khanda Village, Laghman province, Afghanistan, June 18. JTACS like McAffrey were a critical asset to Army ground commanders during Operation Hammer Down II. |
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| U.S. Army soldiers from D Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, alongside the Afghanistan National Army soldiers, advance toward a hill top to set up security during Operation Hammer Down in the Watahpur District of Kunar province, Afghanistan, June 26. The operation was a coalition effort to disrupt insurgents operating and training throughout the Pech Valley. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tia Sokimson) |
Look at that. Four JDAMs and no bags.
ReplyDeleteB. Bolsøy
Oslo
yep...but answer this for me. why are they carrying air to air missiles if there isn't an aerial threat. or is there?
ReplyDeleteNever leave on a mission without your pistol. ;)
ReplyDeleteB. Bolsøy
Oslo
Check out this Danish "intercept": http://tinyurl.com/6y7zm3g
ReplyDeleteB. Bolsøy
Oslo
@Sol:
ReplyDeleteCertain weapons stations on the F-15 and F-16 can only accomodate air-to-air missiles. An F-15 carrying one or two AMRAAMS is not going to significantly degrade its range or loiter time, so might as well utilize those weapons stations in case the shit hits the fan.
In fact, if I remember correctly from the Aero course I took, wingtip mounted Air-to-Air missiles on the F-16 actually act like winglets. I can't remember if this simply negates the negative effect of the missile's weight or if it actually improves the F-16's range and loiter time though...