Airpower Summary for July 8 Published July 13, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, near Kandahar, an Air Force B-1B Lancer stopped an enemy attack by using several guided bomb unit-38's. The enemy position was firing on friendly forces and ceased fire immediately. On the outskirts of Monari, friendly forces came under fire from automatic weapons. Several Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles made strafing runs on the anti-Afghan forces and the attack stopped immediately. Shortly after that, the enemy massed to start another attack but shows of force terminated their effort. The aircraft continued to provide armed overwatch until hostilities ceased. In the vicinity of Gereshk, several Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets, in support of coalition forces, utilized GBU-38's to eliminate enemy forces hidden in a tree line. The coalition forces had been under small-arms fire until that time. The area around Lashkar Gah saw action as several F/A-18F's were called on to destroy an enemy compound that anti-Afghan forces were utilizing to fire on coalition forces. The use of strafing runs and several GBU-38's terminated the enemy attack and the position was destroyed. Anti-Afghan forces around Tarin Kowt had taken positions in a tree line and on a ridge and were attacking coalition forces with small-arms fire when several Navy F/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets dropped a combination of GBU-12 and 38's and eliminated the threat. Coalition aircraft used strafing runs near Now Zad to target an enemy sniper hiding in a tree line. The strike occurred to end enemy fire on friendly forces. At Gereshk, a show of force by a B-1B, resulted in stopping small-arms fire on friendly forces. Several flares were expended in this action. Several coalition aircraft at Lashkar Gah also used a show of force to stop indirect fire on coalition forces. The enemy fire immediately ceased when the aircraft appeared. In a related event at Lashkar Gar, coalition aircraft also were successful in stopping an enemy attack that had utilized small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades on friendly forces by another show of force. Lashkar Gah saw more action as several F/A-18F aircraft and a B-1B made simultaneous shows of forces allowing coalition forces pinned down by enemy fire to regroup when the firing stopped. Flares were dropped during the show of force. Khakrez saw a show of force by a B-1B when it was requested by friendly forces that had been attacked with small-arms fire from the enemy. The enemy fire ceased when the aircraft arrived on the scene. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. Twenty-three Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, one coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In total, 77 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 27 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 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 140 airlift sorties were flown, 375 tons of cargo were delivered and about 4200 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 105,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On Jul 7, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 17 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. U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 205 receiving aircraft.