July 20 airpower summary: C-130s transport troops, cargo

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Qalat, Navy F/A-18E-F Super Hornets and Air Force B-1B Lancers performed armed overwatch on friendly forces. There, they conducted shows of force and expended flares. Navy aircraft strafed an enemy position after coalition forces were hit with small-arms fire. Coalition aircraft also dropped GBU-38's on the enemy position, destroying an enemy arms cache. Enemy activity ceased upon completion of the strafing and bomb runs.

At Asmar, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided cover for coalition forces taking small-arms fire. The Strike Eagles provided a show of force and dropped precision guided munitions that eliminated the threat to coalition forces.

At Moqor, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs demonstrated shows of force on anti-coalition forces that had been firing rocket-propelled grenades on coalition and friendly forces. Enemy forces ceased fire after several flares were expended. Armed overwatch was provided for several more hours.

F-15Es at Asadabad launched flares, providing shows of force for coalition forces taking small-arms fire. The firing stopped after the shows of force were completed.

Near Sangin, several B-1B Lancers provided air support to friendly forces that were under hostile fire from enemy forces. Several GBU-31/38s were dropped on the enemy position destroying a weapons cache and terminating the hostile action.

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

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 total, 66 close-air-support missions were flown in support of 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 37 airlift sorties were flown, 940 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,000 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 126,100 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On July 19, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported five patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard the helicopters located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The Pave Hawks 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 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 211 receiving aircraft.