Enemy rifle serves as reminder of airpower's impact

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Jones
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (ACCNS) --  An AK-47 assault rifle once used against American servicemembers now serves as a reminder of the Air Force's impact on the Global War on Terror.

Within the 336th Fighter Squadron's heritage display case, the rifle lays front and center next to the squadron memorabilia from past wars and conflicts.

A deployed Army unit gave the rifle to the squadron in appreciation for their actions during an Operation Enduring Freedom sortie in 2007.

The story of that sortie illustrates how airpower continues to contribute to coalition objectives even after air dominance has been secured.

While returning to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan from a sortie Oct. 7, 2007, four 336th FS Airmen flying in two F-15-E Strike Eagles received a request to investigate suspicious activity along a major travel route used by coalition forces. Soldiers had received a tip from local villagers that a suspicious group was congregating near the route.

In response, the Airmen flew to the designated area and identified a group that looked like they were doing roadwork, but the aircrew decided to take a closer look, said Maj. Taran Hickie, a weapons systems officer who participated in the mission.

They swept down, executing a low pass, and used their targeting pods to see exactly what the suspicious group was up to, said the major.

It wasn't roadwork.

""We observed them digging a hole in the road, placing an object into that hole and running wire out to the roadside," said Capt. Michael Unruh, the other Strike Eagle's weapons system's officer.

The group's actions were telltale signs that they were planting a roadside bomb, Captain Unruh said.

The Airmen relayed the information to the joint terminal air controller on the ground, who then received confirmation from Afghani locals that no roadwork was scheduled along the route.

Based on the information and intelligence, the Army ground commander decided the suspicious group's intentions were hostile and gave the aircrews clearance to eliminate the threat, the captain said.

The Airmen dropped three guided bombs on the insurgents, destroying the roadside bomb and foiling the insurgent plan.

After the dust settled around the target area, Soldiers on the ground discovered weapons - including AK-47 rifles - and the materials used to make improvised explosive devices.

"It's one of the most satisfying missions I've flown because I know for a fact that we saved the lives of coalition troops that day," Captain Unruh said.

Upon returning to Bagram Airfield, the Soldiers presented one of the rifles to the Airmen.

"The AK-47 is real evidence that the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing and United States Air Force are 'all in' the Global War on Terror," said Lt. Col. Neil Allen, 336th FS commander.

"When our airmen see the AK-47, I hope they are proud of their past accomplishments, humbled by their vital role in our nation's joint fight, and eager to take it to the enemy whenever and wherever asked."

Col. Daniel DeBree, 4th FW vice commander, was serving as vice commander of Bagram's 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, at the time of the sortie, which he said was noteworthy for two particular reasons.

First, he said the sortie demonstrated how fighter aircraft can perform non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions to provide battlefield intelligence to ground commanders.

Second, the Strike Eagles were used preemptively to eliminate an imminent threat to coalition forces as opposed to their more common role of assisting ground forces who are already engaged with enemy combatants.

"This sortie was one of the few GWOT sorties where airpower was used to neutralize a threat before our ground troops were in harm's way," Colonel DeBree said.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Airmen of the 336th FS have accumulated nearly 17,000 hours of combat sorties and have dropped over 1.5 million pounds ordnance in support of America's war on terror.