Airpower Summary for July 31

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker | An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis out for a night operation at Balad Air Base,...... read more read more

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker | An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis out for a night operation at Balad Air Base, Iraq. F-16s fly close air support sorties exclusively for Operation Iraqi Freedom. F-16s and other coalition aircraft contributed to the 49 close air support missions flown over Iraq July 31.  see less | View Image Page

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

07.31.2007

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 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped Guided Bomb Unit-12s and fired cannon rounds at a group of insurgents in Muqur. The pilots achieved their objective.
In the ongoing attack in Muqur, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired a hellfire missile at enemies and observed the strikes by the A-10s.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed a mortar position and hit enemies on along a ridgeline with GBU-31s in Now Zad and Asadabad. The strikes were reported as successful.

Also in Now Zad, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle provided a show of force with flares over an enemy mortar position for friendly forces in the area.

In total, 37 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eleven Air Force and Royal 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, a B-1 destroyed a bridge and a road with multiple GBU-38s and GBU-31s in Baqubah.
Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on a downed MQ-1 near Balad. The pilots destroyed it so that the enemy could use nothing of value from it. The pilots also monitored suspicious individuals in the area.

Other F-16s conducted a show of force over enemies firing at coalition forces in Baghdad. The enemy fire stopped after the show of force.

Also in Baghdad, A-10s destroyed a weapons cache with GBU-12s. Secondary explosions were seen after the weapons impacted their target. F-16s also participated in the strike against the weapons cache with GBU-38s and GBU-12s.

F-16s watched a mosque possibly being used as a weapons cache and searched the area where an Army AH-64 Apache had come under attack and landed east of the New Baghdad District. The pilots also provided escort to a convoy that had been struck by an improvised explosive device in Bayji.

Also in Baghdad, another group of F-16s watched over a security team securing the site of the Apache crash. The F-16s also watched over a raid in the area and a convoy stopped by an IED in Basrah.

A Royal Air Force Tornado GR-4 provided a successful show of force with flares to deter enemy activity over an area in Al Muqdadiyah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 49 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch 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, four Royal Air Force 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 154 airlift sorties were flown; 848 tons of cargo was delivered, and approximately 2,831 passengers were transported. This included approximately 12,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On July 30, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force and French Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 211 receiving aircraft.