July 31 airpower summary: F-16s quells enemy attack Published Aug. 3, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, F-16 Fighting Falcons employed strafing runs on a group of anti-Afghan forces near Qalat. The strike took place in response to enemy fire on an Afghan and coalition unit. Air Force B-1B Lancers and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs both used shows of force to end enemy fire on a friendly convoy near Farah. The aircraft coordinated with ground force's observers who verified that the enemy forces firing rocket-propelled grenades had ceased activities. Near Surkhabad, coalition aircraft took action against an imminent threat to civilian and friendly forces by dropping a precision-guided munition on enemy forces attempting to plant an improvised explosive device. The threat was eliminated. There were also shows of force by coalition and U.S. aircraft near the towns of Qal-E-Naw, Asadabad and Lowkhi that ended in success by stopping enemy attacks on friendly forces. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. Eighteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In total, 72 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 20 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 hostile activities. Twenty-five Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force 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 135 airlift sorties were flown; 496 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 3,600 passengers were transported. This included about 96,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On July 30, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported five patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60G transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 201 receiving aircraft.