Airpower Summary for July 7

Courtesy Photo | An EC-130 Compass Call from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., waits to take off at a deployed location in Southwest Asia while a KC-135R Stratotanker prepares for another refueling sortie. The EC-130H Compass Call is an airborne tactical weapon system using a heavily modified version of the C-130 Hercules airframe. The system disrupts enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management. The Compass Call system employs the offensive counter-information and electronic attack capabilities in support of U.S. and coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces. Programmed upgrades will expand its mission by procuring a secondary EA capability against early warning and acquisition radars. The KC-135 Stratotanker's principal mission is air refueling. This unique asset greatly enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of global reach and global power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft as well as aircraft of allied nations. The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clark Staehle)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

07.07.2007

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

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 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided overwatch for friendly forces securing a compound in Sangin.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier also watched over coalition members and a convoy struck by an improvised explosive device in Sangin.

Also in Sangin, U.S Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles released a Guided Bomb Unit-38 and a GBU-12 on an enemy compound. Both bombs hit their intended target.

F-15s watched over coalition forces and looked for enemy activity in Gereshk.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer released GBU-31s on an insurgent compound and mortar position in Kajaki Dam. A Joint Terminal Attack Controller confirmed the weapons had direct hits. The B-1 also conducted shows of presence along the main highway in the area.

A-10s strafed an enemy compound with multiple cannon rounds in Kajaki Dam.

The JTAC confirmed a direct hit on the target.

Strike Eagles searched a ridgeline for enemies in Gardez.

In total, 45 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, a B-1B released GBU-31s on a bunker in Mosul. There were secondary explosions after the bombs impacted their targets.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons also attacked the bunker with GBU-38s and GBU-12s.

Also in Mosul, a MQ-1B Predator destroyed a vehicle with a hellfire missile.

F-16s hit a weapons cache with GBU-38s and GBU-12s in Mosul. The weapons cache was housed in an area warehouse. A weapons team came on scene to finish demolishing what was left of the building. The pilots also watched a quick response team on a high speed pursuit.

A-10s released GBU-12s on an enemy complex and vehicles in Mosul. The A-10s re-attacked with cannon rounds the areas not destroyed by the bombs. The complex was thought to be a weapons cache.

Other F-16s hit a weapons cache with a GBU-38 in Salman Pak. The pilots also watched over coalition forces around a building that had exploded.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets also watched over areas around Salman Pak.

F-16s conducted successful shows of force in Samarra. Other F-16s searched for enemy activity, provided convoy support and watched over friendly forces near an IED explosion in the area.

F-18s dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on insurgents in Baghdad. The JTAC reported the weapons had good hits.

Other F-18s provided shows of force over Baghdad, Balad and Baqubah as well as overwatch for coalition forces. Another F-18 dropped a leaflet bomb over a factory in Basrah.

F-16s conducted a show of force over Al Muqdadiyah and reported IED emplacers in the area.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 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, 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 150 airlift sorties were flown; more than 600 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,625 passengers were transported. This included approximately 12,110 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan – the equivalent of more than 36,330 baseballs.

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

On July 6, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, French air force and Republic of Singapore air force aerial refueling crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 239 receiving aircraft.

• Date Taken: 07.07.2007
• Date Posted: 07.10.2007 07:45
• Story ID: 11181
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)