News>Nov. 2 airpower summary: Strike Eagles support combat operations
Photos
An F-15E Strike Eagle jet takes off from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, to provide close-air support for International Security Assistance Force ground operations. Coalition aircraft like the F-15E flew 66 close-air-support missions in support of ISAF May 21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)
11/3/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Garmsir. The joint terminal attack controller assessed the mission as successful.
A French Mirage 2000 fired on enemy combatants with cannon fire and a Guided Bomb Unit-12 in Tarin Kowt. The JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.
In Asadabad, an F-15E dropped a GBU-38 on an enemy bunker. The JTAC confirmed that the target was successfully destroyed.
Air Force F-15Es performed shows of force with flares to deter enemy activities in Tarin Kowt. The shows of force were declared successful by the JTAC.
Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers fired on enemy combatants with rockets and a general purpose 540-pound bomb in Sangin. The enemy combatants were firing on friendly forces with mortar rounds, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. The JTAC confirmed the mission was successful.
Supporting friendly forces near Deh Rawod, F-15Es fired on enemy combatants, their vehicle, and a motor firing position with cannon fire, GBU-12s and GBU-38s. The JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.
During the same mission, F-15Es fired on enemy combatants in a tree line and a compound with a GBU-12 and GBU-38s. A disabled enemy vehicle was also destroyed. The mission was confirmed as successful by the JTAC.
An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-31s on enemy combatants in a compound in Gereshk. The JTAC assessed the mission as successful.
An F-15 E flew a show of force mission to deter enemy activity in Bagram. The demonstration was declared successful by the JTAC.
Supporting friendly forces in Bagram, an F-15E performed a show of force to deter enemy activities. The JTAC assessed the mission as successful.
In Kandahar, an F-15E performed a show of force to deter enemy activities. The JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.
In total, 33 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Eight Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft flew tactical reconnaissance missions.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons flew air strikes with GBU-38s against a weapons cache discovered by friendly forces in Samarra. The mission was declared successful by the JTAC.
An F-16 dropped GBU-38s on an Improvised Explosive Device manufacturing facility in Baghdad. The JTAC confirmed the target was destroyed and the mission was successful.
A Navy F-18C Hornet flew an air strike with a GBU-51 against enemy combatants attempting to place an IED in Bayji. The mission was assessed as successful.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 61 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.
Twenty Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and Navy aircraft flew tactical reconnaissance missions.
Air Force C-130 Hercule 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 153 airlift sorties were flown; 281 tons of cargo were delivered, and 2,491 passengers were transported by C-17s. Cargo weights and passenger totals for C-130s are currently not available but will be reported at a later time. These totals included approximately 18,000 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 Nov. 1, Air Force, French, and RAF tankers flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 206 receiving aircraft.
