July 30 airpower summary: F-15Es eliminate IEDs 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 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Sangin, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper responded to an enemy threat by firing a precision guided munition on the enemy position. The enemy threat was eliminated. Coalition aircraft and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at Asmar provided support for friendly forces that received small-arms fire from enemy forces. After several shows of force, a precision guided munition was employed and the small-arms fire ceased. A friendly force's convoy requested air support from Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles that were providing armed overwatch at Asadabad. The convoy reported receiving small arms fire. The F-15Es destroyed an anti-Afghan fighting position with precision guided munitions. In the vicinity of Kabul, F-15Es provided armed overwatch for a friendly force's convoy. The F-15Es released numerous precision guided munitions on multiple confirmed improvised explosive device emplacements, to eliminate the IEDs. At Qalat, Navy F/A-18C Hornets provided coalition forces with armed overwatch. When anti-Afghan forces were located in the area, a show of force was requested and provided. The enemy retreated after the show of force was performed. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. Twenty-two Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In total, 81 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 eight 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. Thirty 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, 248 tons of cargo were delivered and 3,871 passengers were transported. This included about 312,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo air-dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in the theater of operations. On July 29, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported four 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 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 174 receiving aircraft.