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6/28/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition
airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International
Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June
27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials
here.
n Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of
force, dispensing flares above Orgun-E to make insurgents aware of an
air presence. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller called the
show of force successful.
French Mirage 2000s conducted shows of force over friendly forces in
Orgun-E. The pilots also monitored a bunker for possible insurgents.
An Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of force to protect a disabled
vehicle in Khowst. There were no attacks reported after the show of
force.
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted multiple shows of force with
flares over Gereshk and Tarin Kowt to deter enemy activities in these
areas. The shows of force were all successful.
Other F-15E pilots searched a compound in Garmsir for insurgent firing
positions. Later in Garmsir, a B-1 destroyed enemy compounds with
guided bomb unit -31s and 38s.
A-10s conducted shows of force with multiple flares over Asadabad to
stop the enemy from firing on coalition forces in the area. Other A-10s
provided overwatch for convoys in the area.
In Sangin, an A-10 provided a show of force with flares to reassure
coalition forces and deter enemy activity. The show of force was called
successful by the JTAC.
In total, 36 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 Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, an RAF GR-4 Tornado provided overwatch of a suspected insurgent in Al Amiriyah.
An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon provided a show of force over
suspicious individuals in Samarra. F-16s also watched over an
improvised explosive device detonation area and monitored activity
along a river in the area.
In Basrah, a B-1 conducted shows of force, dispensing multiple flares
to help friendly forces exit an area where they had come under fire.
The shows of force allowed coalition forces to move out.
In support of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, an F-16 hit a building in
Baquba being used as a weapons cache with GBU-38s and GBU-12s. The
attacks destroyed the center and south walls of the building.
Following up the first F-16 attack, another F-16 hit the building with a GBU-38 to ensure it was completely destroyed.
Also in Baquba, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets monitored the area for
suspicious activity. There were no reported attacks while the F/A-18s
were in the area.
F-16s also provided successful shows of force, dispensing flares over Baghdad.
F/A-18s also provided overwatch in and around Baghdad.
A GR-4 provided a show of force with flares over Baghdad and monitored a mosque possibly being used as a safe house.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 69 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
intratheater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations
throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 158 airlift sorties were flown, 455 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,322 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Iraq flew in support
of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. This included approximately
27,790 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.
On June 26, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 44 sorties and
off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 225 receiving
aircraft.
Source and Credits:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123058950
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