US Air Force,
SOUTHWEST ASIA: The Combined Air and Space Operations Center's airpower summary provides a daily account of the integration and synchronization of coalition airpower with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan.
As the final numbers came in for the month of September 2007, it became obvious that September was a record-breaking month for the air component mobility fleet.
“For the first time, the air mobility fleet transported more than 115,000 passengers and more than 20,000 short tons of cargo in, out and around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility,” said Maj. Gen. Maury Forsyth, Combined Forces Air Component deputy commander. “This includes a record high for the C-17 Globemaster IIIs, carrying more than 52,000 passengers.
“The air component contribution happens a lot in the background,” he said. “Airlift is one of them. Seeing these September statistics, however, reminds me that every piece of equipment or person moved by air means fewer convoys on the roads of Iraq and Afghanistan. Airmen are in the fight at every level and I couldn't be more proud.”
The following is the airpower summary for operations on Oct 2.
An Air Force B-1B Lancer targeted an enemy safe house in Asadabad with guided bomb unit-38s. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the building collapsed and was destroyed.
Also in Asadabad, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used cannon rounds and rockets to control enemy personnel. The JTAC confirmed the actions achieved the desired results.
A B1-B used flares in a show of force over targets near Khowst. The JTAC declared the show of force and flares a success.
Other A-10s used cannon fire to suppress enemy fire from a safe house in Asadabad. The JTAC confirmed the mission was a success.
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles used flares in shows of force to deter enemy activity in Tarin Kowt. The enemy dispersed and the JTAC declared the tactics were a success.
F-15Es also strafed insurgents in Tarin Kowt with cannon rounds. The enemy firing position was silenced and the JTAC reported the strafing runs a success.
In Sangin, A-10s used strafing runs with cannon rounds against an enemy compound. The JTAC confirmed that the rounds hit the intended target and the desired result was achieved.
A-10s also launched a GBU-12 against enemy personnel along a tree line in Sangin. The bomb hit the targeted area and the strike was reported as a success by the JTAC.
A Royal Air Force GR-7A Harrier conducted a show of force over Oruzgan.
The JTAC confirmed the action was successful.
In total, 41 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Eight Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, a B-1B released GBU-38s on a target near Baghdad. The JTAC reported good hits and that the target was destroyed.
An A-10 conducted a show of force with flares over Baghdad. The JTAC declared the show of force successful.
Navy F/A 18 Hornets used shows of force and flares near Basrah to create a distraction. The actions were reported as successful by the JTAC.
Navy AV-8 Harriers performed a show of force with flares over Ad Diwaniyah to deter a possible enemy attack. The show of force was reported as successful by the JTAC and satisfied the desired intent of repelling enemy personnel.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 71 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.
Twenty-one Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, seven Air Force, Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown, 350 tons of cargo were delivered and 4,700 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Iraq, Japan and Korea flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Oct. 1, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 250 receiving aircraft.
