Airpower: Tankers fuel the fight

US Air Force,

SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops during operations July 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles released a guided bomb unit-38 and cannon fire on a compound in Kajaki Dam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the desired results were achieved.

Other F-15Es dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on a compound also in Kajaki Dam. The first drop hit the compound while several other drops targeted insurgents running from the compound.

French Mirages dropped GBU-38s on an enemy location also in Kajaki Dam. The drop was ordered due to coaltion forces taking heavy fire.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II hit insurgents with general-purpose 500-pound bombs and cannon fire in areas around Qalat. The strikes had good effects. The A-10s also conducted shows of force, expelling flares over the area.

An F-15E provided a show of force over Asadabad to let the enemy know that air support was in the area. There were no reports of attacks after the show of force. Other F-15Es searched compounds in Gereshk.

Also in Gereshk, A-10s showed force with flares to discourage an enemy re-attack on a convoy. The show of force was ruled successful by the JTAC.

A Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier monitored convoys in Kandahar.

A-10s provided a show of force with flares to deter any enemy attacks in Malek Din. The JTAC reported the desired effect was achieved.

Mirages conducted shows of force with flares over a convoy in Qal'eh-Ye Now. Both were ruled as successful.

In total, 45 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force 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 B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on bunkers and possible weapons caches in Al Musayyib. The targets were destroyed by the weapons.
Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s on an underground bunker in Al Muqdadiyah. The drops were reported as direct hits. The F-16s watched over the area afterward.

An RAF GR-4 Tornado monitored improvised explosive device activity around Baghdad.
In Salman Pak, an F-16 dropped a GBU-38 on a building. The drop was called successful. Another F-16 conducted a show of force over an IED detonation site in the area. The pilots also provided overwatch during a raid.

Other F-16s provided counter-mortar and IED ops in Bayji.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 53 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.

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 155 airlift sorties were flown, 435 tons of cargo were delivered and  3,230 passengers were transported. The airlift included approximately 28,800 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 July 9, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 227 receiving aircraft.