July 26 airpower summary: C-17s help sustain coalition operations

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Surkhabad, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Enemy forces opened heavy small-arms fire trapping the friendly forces. The A-10s executed several strafing runs on the enemy positions and then dropped several guided bomb unit-38s. Coalition aircraft also dropped several GBU-12s on same location. Friendly forces were able to evacuate their position.

Several A-10s were in the vicinity of Asadabad to provide friendly forces with air cover. The A-10s provided support to friendly forces after they had received small-arms fire and a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades. Several GBU-38s were dropped on the enemy position eliminating the threat.

A friendly forces patrol requested support from Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles that were providing armed overwatch at Qalat after the patrol started taking small-arms fire. The F-15Es provided a show of force over the enemy position which ended the enemy small-arms fire.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 79 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-six Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 22 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-eight 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 and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 39 airlift sorties were flown, 1,213 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,465 passengers were transported. This included about 116,240 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On July 25, 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 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.75 million pounds of fuel to 195 receiving aircraft.