Airpower Summary for August 19

Photo By Capt. Teresa Sullivan | The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions and can also transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations when required. The inherent flexibility and performance of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

08.20.2007

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, Aug. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-12 on an enemy position in the vicinity of Jalalabad.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided overwatch for convoys and a ground commander as well as searched a compound for signs of an explosion near Gereshk.

Another F-15E provided a show of force to inform enemies an airpower presence was in the area around Ghazni.

In total, 47 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed three buildings with GBU-31s in Baghdad.
Also in Baghdad, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10s conducted overwatch and reconnaissance.

Other F-16s dropped GBU-12s and fired cannon rounds at snipers in Baghdad and Iskandariyah. The snipers were firing at a convoy moving through the area. The pilots stayed with the vehicles until they reached their final location.

More F-16s provided overwatch for medical evacuation helicopters near Salman Pak.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets provided overwatch and monitored suspicious activities around Samarra.

Also in Samarra, another F/A-18 conducted a successful show of force over a building during a coalition raid.

An F-16 provided a show of force with flares to deter enemies from firing at a small group of Humvees moving near Balad. The convoy did not experience any more attacks after the Fighting Falcons passed over.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 68 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.

Seventeen Air Force, Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, seven Navy, Air Force 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 156 airlift sorties were flown; 787 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 3,271 passengers were transported.

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

On Aug. 18, U.S. Air Force, French air force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 56 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 268 receiving aircraft.

• Date Taken: 08.20.2007
• Date Posted: 08.21.2007 07:01
• Story ID: 11910
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)