Airpower: Strike Eagles ready to hunt

US Air Force,

SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 12 to 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

August 12

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s on enemy targets in Jalalabad. The aircrews confirmed the drops were successful.

Also in Jalalabad, Air Force B-1B Lancers dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on caves, ridgelines and other mountainous areas.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired rockets and cannon rounds at enemy positions in Jalalabad.

Continuing the engagement in Jalalabad, Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets hit buildings and enemy firing positions with GBU-38s.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons also dropped GBU-38s on enemy positions in Jalalabad.

An F-15E provided a show of force with flares over an enemy compound near Tarin Kowt. The enemies gave up their position in the compound after the show of force.

In total, 50 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten 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, F-16s provided a show of force against enemies firing at ground forces in Balad. The pilots also watched over ground forces leaving the area and looked for any suspicious activities.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 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.

Thirteen 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.

Some 123 airlift sorties were flown 452 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,539 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 13,050 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On August 11, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 220 receiving aircraft.

August 13

In Afghanistan, F-15Es dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on enemy targets in Jalalabad. The aircrews confirmed the drops were successful.

Also in Jalalabad, a B-1B dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on caves, ridgelines and other mountainous areas.

An A-10 fired rockets and cannon rounds at enemy positions in Jalalabad.

An RAF GR-4 Tornado released an enhanced Paveway II munition on an enemy firing position in Lashkar Ghar. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported a direct hit.

Another Tornado fired an Paveway II on an enemy compound near Gereshk. An additional GR-4 provided armed overwatch for coalition forces in Sangin.

In Asadabad, A-10s conducted multiple shows of force with flares to deter enemy attacks on coalition forces.

In total, 63 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twelve Air Force and RAF 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 and GBU-31s on enemy targets in Baquba.

GR4s released a Paveway II and fired cannon rounds at insurgents who were carrying rockets. The aircrews conducted a show of force to deter the insurgents from recovering the rockets.

In Baghdad, Thunderbolt IIs conducted armed overwatch and search for immediate threats to personnel on the ground.

Also in Baghdad, an F-16 searched for enemy movements and countered improvised explosive device activities.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 66 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.

Eighteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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.

Some 129 airlift sorties were flown, 449 tons of cargo were delivered and 3,085 passengers were transported. Airlift  included approximately 6,400 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On August 12, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 65 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 261 receiving aircraft.

August 14

In Afghanistan, F-15Es dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on enemy targets in Jalalabad. The aircrews confirmed the drops were successful. Some of the targets included firing positions and bunkers.

Also in Jalalabad, a B-1B dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on enemy positions. The drops were deemed successful.

A-10s fired rockets and cannon rounds at enemy positions also in Jalalabad. The pilots confirmed good hits.

A Navy EA-6B Prowler provided a successful show of force with multiple flares over Khowst.

In total, 67 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eleven Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, F-16s conducted a successful show a force to stop improvised explosive device emplacers in Ad Diwaniyah. The pilots also watched over a raid in which a high value target was captured.

Other F-16s provided shows of force with flares to break up a crowd forming around a forward operating base in Al Najaf. The show of force was to ensure there were no attacks on the base. The pilots also watched over a tractor trailer struck by an IED.

More F-16s watched over and monitored activities throughout Baghdad.

GR-4s fired Paveway II munitions on a house that was booby trapped in Al Muqdadiyah. The house was destroyed and secondary explosions were witnessed, indicating other explosive devices were present.

In Baquba, F-16s destroyed another booby-trapped house to help coalition forces continue clearing the area.

F-16s destroyed a house in Taji with GBU-38s and a GBU-12. Insurgents had attacked ground forces then fled to the house prior to the air strike.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 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.

Fifteen Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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.

Some 125 airlift sorties were flown, 586 tons of cargo were delivered and 3,257 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 62,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On August 13, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 68 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.9 million pounds of fuel to 271 receiving aircraft.

August 15

In Afghanistan, F-15Es dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on enemy targets in Jalalabad. The aircrews confirmed the drops as successful. Some of the targets included firing positions, bunkers and caves.

In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator destroyed a vehicle in Basrah with a Hellfire missile.

A GR-4 provided a show of force with flares to keep insurgents from attacking during a medical evacuation at Basrah Palace. There were no attacks on the evacuation after the show of force.

F-16s provided armed overwatch for ground forces looking for an improvised explosive device emplacement team in Taji. The pilots watched over a demonstration at a soccer stadium.

Also in Taji, other F-16s dropped a GBU-38 and a GBU-12 on a buried mortar. The pilots had followed a truck suspected of having the mortar inside. The pilots then watched the insurgents remove the mortar from the vehicle and bury it. Then they blew it up. More F-16s watched over other parts of the city and looked for more mortar launches.

F/A-18s provided convoy escort and overwatch for a medical evacuation near Muqdadiyah.

Also in Muqdadiyah, other Hornets fired a Hellfire missile and a GBU-51 at a building. The interior of the building was destroyed. The pilots also watched over another medical evacuation in the area.

More F/A-18s fired cannon rounds at insurgents using boats in Baqubah.

F-16s destroyed a weapons cache in Tarmiyah with GBU-12s.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 64 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.

Nineteen Air Force, Navy, RAF and RAAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Some 131 airlift sorties were flown, 530 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,532 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 26,160 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On August 14, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 68 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 283 receiving aircraft.