July 6 airpower summary: Tanker crews put in long hours Published July 8, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired warning shots from its cannon into a field near an enemy compound and conducted shows of force near Lashkar Gah. The aircrew took action after friendly forces began receiving small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The aircraft avoided striking the structure directly as a precaution in case Afghan civilians were inside. While conducting armed overwatch for an Afghan and coalition unit which had taken an improvised explosive device strike, an Air Force B-1B Lancer targeted an enemy forces building. The airstrike, using a guided bomb unit-38, destroyed an enemy fighting position in the structure from which enemy troops were shooting at the vehicle recovery team. An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force near Bagram after a friendly convoy started taking enemy fire. The aircraft's maneuver ended enemy aggression. Near Asadabad, an A-10 executed a show of force in the vicinity of a coalition convoy that was taking automatic weapons and RPG fire. The enemy shooters ceased fire and withdrew after the aircraft arrived on scene. After a friendly convoy started taking small-arms fire near Lowkhi, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet carried out shows of force over suspected enemy positions. Ground personnel reported that the shooting stopped following the demonstration of air power. An A-10 flying over Bastion conducted a show of force after a coalition vehicle was hit by an IED. The aircraft remained overhead to provide an escort as the unit returned to base. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. Twenty-seven Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In total, 76 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-two 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 120 airlift sorties were flown, 480 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,700 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 133,200 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On Jul 5, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 14 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 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.2 million pounds of fuel to 132 receiving aircraft.