Airpower: C-17s deliver power, reach

US Air Force,

SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations June 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force with multiple flares over a Coalition convoy taking fire in Oruzgan.

Also in Oruzgan, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped Guided Bomb Unit-38s on an immobilized vehicle to ensure nothing significant could be used by the enemy. The vehicle was destroyed by the weapons. The aircrews also strafed an enemy firing position in a tree line with cannon rounds. The Joint Terminal Attack Controller confirmed the rounds found their target.

Other F-15Es fired cannon rounds at an enemy fighting position in Tarin Kowt. The attack was reported as successful. The aircrews also provided shows of force expelling multiple flares to stop enemy small arms activity in the area. The firing stopped after the shows of force.

A-10s made multiple strafing passes of enemy positions with cannon rounds. After the passes, attacks on ground forces slowed.

Other A-10s dropped GBU-12s on a building. The JTAC reported the building was destroyed. Then the A-10s fired cannon rounds at insurgent who fled the building that had just been destroyed. The JTAC also reported good hits from the cannon rounds.

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a GBU-38 on enemies in a building. The weapon impacted its intended target.

Another F-18 dropped a GBU-38 on a trench. This drop also had good effects.

An F-18 destroyed a building with a GBU-12. The pilots also conducted a strafe run with cannon rounds on an enemy firing position in the area.

F-18s dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on a building and a cave entrance in Tarin Kowt. The JTAC reported the building was destroyed and the cave was closed. One pair of F-18s made strafing passes around the cave entrance as well.

Other F-18 conducted multiple shows of force expelling flares over Tarin Kowt to disperse insurgents from their firing positions. The ground commander, who ordered the passes confirmed good effects.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted a show of presence along a coalition highway in Sangin for convoys traveling in the area.

An F-15E conducted a show of force for coalition forces moving through a village in Farah. The ground forces were not attacked after the show of force.

Also in Oruzgan, A-10s made multiple strafing passes with cannon rounds. The weapons were confirmed to have good effects.

In total, 56 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, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, F-18's conducted shows of force over a bridge in Al Muqdadiyah to control enemy firing. There were no more reports of firing after the show of force.

U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons dropped a GBU-12 on a building used by insurgents in Baquba. The JTAC reported the building was destroyed.

Also in Baquba, A-10s provided a show of force with multiple flares for friendly force taking small arms fire. There were no more reports of attacks after the show of force.

F-16s showed force over enemy positions in Taji and Baghdad. The shows of force were to keep insurgents away from ground forces moving in those areas. The shows were reported as successful.

Also in Taji, F-18s successfully showed force to disperse a gathering crowd of insurgents.

In Balad, A-10s watched over a convoy that had set up a defensive fighting position after taking small arms fire.

Also in Balad, a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado provided shows of force firing multiple flares for coalition forces engaged with insurgents.

An F-16 provided a show of force to deter small arms attacks on ground forces in Baghdad. Attacks ceased after the show of force.

Also in Baghdad, F-16s conducted a show of force to break enemy fire coming from a house in the area. Enemy fire stopped after the show of force.

A-10s provided shows of force with multiple flares over Baghdad to break up insurgent activity in the area. The A-10s also looked for improvised explosive devices.

F-18s looked for IEDs and other suspicious activity in areas around Baghdad International Airport.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 63 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.

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 153 airlift sorties were flown; more than 655 tons of cargo was delivered, and approximately 3,273 passengers were transported.

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

On June 15, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, French Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.