Airpower Summary for July 6

Courtesy Photo | A F-15E Strike Eagle taxis for another combat mission over the skies of Southwest...... read more read more

Courtesy Photo | A F-15E Strike Eagle taxis for another combat mission over the skies of Southwest Asia. Strike Eagles used Guided Bomb Unit-12s, GBU-38, GBU-39s and cannon rounds to counter anti-Coalition forces July 6.  see less | View Image Page

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

07.06.2007

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

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U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, July 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds, released a rocket and dropped a general-purpose 500 pound bomb on insurgents around Asadabad.

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles released Guided Bomb Unit-38s on anti-coalition members attempting to hide in a group of trees near the same area.

An A-10 also conducted a show of force with flares to show Asadabad villagers air assets were in the area. Joint Terminal Attack Controllers confirmed the missions were successful.

Strike Eagles released a GBU-12, GBU-38, GBU-39, fired 20mm cannon rounds and conducted shows of force with flares on enemy positions to aid coalition forces leaving the area in Tarin Kowt.

In Farah, F-15Es dropped a GBU-12, GBU-38s and fired cannon rounds on an enemy position and conducted shows of force to prevent an ambush on coalition forces. A French air force Mirage 2000D also conducted a show of force during the campaign. A JTAC reported the use of air power as successful.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer released GBU-31s on an insurgent compound in Kajaki Dam. A JTAC confirmed the weapons destroyed the target.

A-10s performed shows of force with flares over Gereshk, Now Zad and Chaghasaray. The flyovers were intended to protect coalition forces from enemy fire by showing close air support was ready and available.

In total, 31 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an A-10 released GBU-12s on an enemy facility when insurgents ran into a palm grove fleeing a coalition raid in Baqubah. A JTAC tracked the anti-Iraqi members into the building and it was cleared by the ground forces commander to call for an air strike. The JTAC confirmed the target was destroyed.

A B-1B released GBU-31s on an open field and conducted a show of force with flares to deter enemy activity in Basrah. A JTAC reported the air power as successful. An aircraft carrier based Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet also provided a show of force in the area.

Another Super Hornet delivered GBU-31s onto an enemy compound in Tarmiyah. A JTAC stated the weapons detonated on the target.

F/A-18C Hornets conducted shows of force in Samarra.

F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted shows of force near Bayji, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Bayji and Al Muqdadiyah to deter insurgents from engaging coalition forces.

Coalition aircraft in Baghdad provided armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as provided armed overwatch for coalition forces. The information gathered during these missions was used for future planning.

Airpower for Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom was sustained through mid-air refueling provided by KC-10 Extenders and KC-135 Stratotankers.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 74 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Sixteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, five Air Force and Navy fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 149 airlift sorties were flown and approximately 12,110 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Japan and Korea flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On July 5, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, French air force and Republic of Singapore air force aerial refueling crews flew 56 sorties and off-loaded approximately three million pounds of fuel to 262 receiving aircraft.

Currently at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, personnel and cargo amounts related to coalition airlift cannot be reported accurately in the daily Air Power Summary. Once this problem is resolved, the numbers will again be reported.