July 7 airpower summary: A-10s end enemy attacks

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, in the vicinity of Gereshk, an Air Force B-1B Lancer quelled an enemy attack point hidden in a row of trees. The enemy position was firing on friendly forces. The aircraft targeted the Guided Bomb Unit -38's for maximum effect.

On the outskirts of Chahar Bagh, friendly forces came under fire from automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. A B-1B dropped a GBU-31 on the building used as an enemy firing point and the attack stopped immediately. Prior to dropping the bomb, ground forces verified there were no civilians in the area.

In Asmar, friendly forces under small-arms fire called for strafing by Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II's. Upon completion of the strafing runs the enemy fire ceased.

Near Now Zad, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper and several Navy F/A-18 Hornets engaged anti-coalition forces. The Reaper utilized a GBU-12 to eliminate enemy forces armed with a RPG. A second GBU-12 was dropped to destroy unexploded ordnance keeping friendly forces and local civilians safe. The Hornets used strafing runs with 20mm weapons to destroy numerous anti-coalition forces hidden in a tree line position that had been firing on friendly forces.

The area around Gereshk saw action again as a Marine F/A-18 Hornet was called on to destroy an enemy vehicle hidden in a tree line. This was successfully completed using a single GBU-12.

Coalition aircraft used GBU-12's near Kandahar to target a mortar and a group of insurgents who were hiding in an irrigation trench. The strike occurred to end an enemy indirect fire attack on friendly forces.

In the vicinity of Tarin Kowt, friendly aircraft came under small-arms fire while providing friendly forces with air cover. A B-1B was dispatched to eliminate anti-Afghan forces firing from a ridge. This was accomplished using GBU-38's, stopping the small-arms fire.

After friendly forces reported taking small arms fire near Chahar Bagh, two coalition aircraft carried out a show of force over suspected enemy positions. Ground personnel reported that the shooting stopped following the demonstration of air power.

Near Asmar, two Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles successfully deterred anti-Afghan forces activity by conducting a show of force, expending flares. The jets executed the maneuver after enemy forces had opened fire on a friendly convoy.

A-10's providing convoy escort received a call for a show of force after the convoy started receiving assault rifle fire near Soltani. The enemy's fire ceased after the jets arrived.

In the Tarin Kowt area, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet provided overwatch for a vehicle struck by an improvised explosive device. The show of force provided an alert to enemy forces that appropriate protection was being provided to the downed vehicle.

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

Twenty-four 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, 83 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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-four 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, 320 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,750 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 146,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Jul 6, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 10 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 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 232 receiving aircraft.