Airpower Summary for May 6

Photo By Master Sgt. Julianne Showalter | A 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, launches on a sortie at Balad Air Base, Iraq, April 21. On April 20, Air Force pilots had flown more than 1 million sorties in support of the war on terrorism. Many F-16 missions that depart from Balad provide close-air support to Army ground units by identifying improvised explosive devices and emplacers and either recording their actions using intelligence gathering equipment or engaging them with precision weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sr. Airman Julianne Showalter)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.06.2008

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central       

By Sr. Airman Julianne Showalter

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Bari Kowt, Jalalabad, and Orgune. The joint terminal attack controller confirmed that the missions were successful.

In Bari Kowt, A-10s dropped 500 lbs bombs in order to destroy enemy combatants in a tree line. The JTAC declared that the missions were successful.

In Orgune, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-31 in order to destroy an enemy rocket team. The JTAC reported that the mission was successful.

In Garmser, a B-1B Lancer dropped a GBU-31 in order to destroy an enemy compound and bunker. The JTAC confirmed that the mission was successful.

In total, 47 close air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eleven Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting falcon performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities in Baghdad. The JTAC reported that the mission was successful.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 68 close-air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overhead watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-four Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Air Force and Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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

Approximately 137 airlift sorties were flown, 606 tons of cargo was delivered and 3,388 passengers were transported. This included approximately 21,950 lbs of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On May 5, U.S. Air Force, French, and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million lbs of fuel to 257 receiving aircraft.

• Date Taken: 05.06.2008
• Date Posted: 05.07.2008 13:10
• Story ID: 19179
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)