Airpower Summary for December 31

Courtesy Photo | Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Neitz and Tech. Sgt. James Sheldon load 2,000 pound bombs...... read more read more

Courtesy Photo | Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Neitz and Tech. Sgt. James Sheldon load 2,000 pound bombs on an Air Force B-1B Lancer in preparation for a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The B-1B can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons onto specific targets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Douglas Olsen)  see less | View Image Page

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

01.02.2008

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

✔ ✗ Subscribe

80

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Dec. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force with flares to deter enemy activities in Tarin Kowt. During another mission in the same area, A-10s engaged an enemy structure with a Guided Bomb Unit-38 and an enemy mortar position with a GBU-12. The missions were reported as successful by the Joint Terminal Attack Controller.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer targeted an enemy bunker with a GBU-31 and GBU-38s in Now Zad. The JTAC reported the mission a success.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged enemy combatants in a bunker with GBU-38s and a GBU-12 in Lashkar Ghar. The mission was assessed as successful.

An A-10 performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Gardez. The show of force was deemed a success.
During a mission in Qalat, a B-1B targeted enemy combatants with GBU-31s and GBU-38s. The enemy combatants were engaging friendly forces in the area. The JTAC reported that the mission was successful.

An A-10 performed a show of force in Gardez and a show of force with flares in Tarin Kowt. French Mirage 2000s conducted shows of force in Orgune. A show of force was performed by a B-1B in Morghab. Shows of force were conducted by F-15s in Qal-e-Naw. Each show of force was performed to deter enemy activates in the area. These missions were reported as a success.

In total, 38 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight Air Force and Royal Air Force Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons performed a strike with GBU-38s on a structure used by al-Qaida. The structure was completely destroyed. The mission was reported as successful by the JTAC
.
To deter enemy activities, a Royal Air Force Tornado GR-4 performed a show of force in Baqubah and shows of force were preformed in Basrah. The shows of force were reported as successful.

A house borne improvised explosive device was destroyed by F-16s with GBU-38s in Baqubah.
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets performed shows of force with flares to deter enemy activities in Umm Qasr and Basrah. The missions were reported successful.

A show of force with flares was preformed by F-16s to deter enemy activities in Baghdad. The show of force was deemed successful.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 67 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.

Nineteen Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and 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 126 airlift sorties were flown; 761 tons of cargos were delivered, and 2,034 passengers were transported. This included approximately 60,000 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 Dec. 30, U.S. Air Force, French, and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 231 receiving aircraft.