News>Oct. 22 airpower summary: B-1B bombs bad bikers
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A B-1B Lancer takes off from an air base in Southwest Asia. The B-1B has the capability to carry guided and unguided weapons and deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against specific targets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Miller)
10/23/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces in the open in the vicinity of Orgun-E. The mission was confirmed a success by the on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.
In the vicinity of Morghab, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s and GBU-38s onto a group of enemy fighters on motorcycles firing against coalition forces. A JTAC reported the mission successful.
Coalition aircrafts dropped GBU-12s onto enemy positions hiding in a tree line near Tarin Kowt. The missions were declared successful by JTACs.
In the vicinity of Ganjabad, a B-1B dropped a GBU-31 onto anti-Afghan forces who were firing rocket-propelled grenades at Afghan National Army soldiers. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.
Coalition aircraft performed a show of force in the vicinity of Bagram to deter enemy activities. The mission was confirmed a success by a JTAC.
In total, 66 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Fifteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 40 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt enemy activities.
Twenty-four Air Force, Navy and coalition ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 130 airlift sorties were flown, nearly 450 tons of cargo delivered and more than 3,600 passengers were transported. This included approximately 118,600 pounds of troop resupply air-dropped in Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Oct. 21, Air Force and coalition tankers flew 57 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.8 million pounds of fuel to 315 receiving aircraft.
