Airpower: F-16s stay close overhead

Agence France-Presse,

SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s on Afghanistan National Army vehicles that were being looted by insurgents in Tarin Kowt. The aircrews also hit an enemy compound with GBU-38s. The aircrews then targeted the insurgents with a GBU-31 and GBU-12s. Later, one of the F-15Es dropped a GBU-12 on an enemy camp. The engagements were reported as successful.

Also in Tarin Kowt, other F-15Es dropped GBU-38s on an enemy vehicle and a machine gun position. The aircrews also attacked  with GBU-31s and GBU-12s a sniper position and enemies fleeing previous attacks. Theses engagements were reported as successful as well.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general-purpose 500-pound bombs and GBU-12s on an enemy firing position in Orgun-E. The pilots also strafed the position with cannon rounds.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer provided successful shows of force and presence to ward off enemy attacks in areas near Ganjabad.

A-10s strafed enemies in Asadabad with cannon rounds. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the rounds hit their intended targets.

F-15Es dropped GBU-38s and a GBU-31 on enemy firing positions around Gardez and Asadabad. The weapon drops were considered successful by the JTAC.

Other F-15Es also hit targets with GBU-38s and GBU-12s in Asadabad and Asmar.

F-15Es and an A-10 provided successful shows of force with flares over enemy positions in Gereshk, Garmsir and Kajaki Dam.

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

Nine Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons used GBU-38s to destroy a weapons cache in Salman Pak. The pilots also watched over a coalition raid.

Also in Salman Pak, an F-16 destroyed a weapons crate using a Maverick missile. The pilots observed insurgents digging up the weapons crate and loading it onto a truck. Once the crate was unloaded, one of the pilots destroyed it with the missile. Then, the F-16s strafed the truck that had moved the crate with cannon rounds until it stopped. One of the F-16s also provided a show of force for convoy freedom of movement. The convoy moved through smoothly after the show of force.

Continuing the engagement in Salman Pak, another group of F-16s fired cannon rounds at the truck that had moved the weapons crate. The F-16s also hit a weapons storage area with GBU-38s as well.

An Air Force MQ-1Predator fired a Hellfire missile at a mortar team in Balad. The Predator followed the group that was carrying a tube. Eventually the team launched a projectile, confirming the tube was a weapon. Then the Predator engaged the team.

F-16s provided shows of force over locations around Karbala.

Other F-16s patrolled other areas of Samarra and Tikrit looking for suspicious activities and improvised explosive devices.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 50 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.

Seventeen Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

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 160 airlift sorties were flown, 400 tons of cargo were delivered and approximately 3,400 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 44,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 27, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 285 receiving aircraft.