July 4 airpower summary: Predators protect friendly units

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force trooops in Afghanistan during operations July 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer used guided bomb unit-31s to destroy several enemy ambush positions along an open road in the Kandahar region. The enemy positions were detected by an unmanned aircraft scouting the area.

In the vicinity of Orgun, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator used a GBU-12 to strike a group of enemy personnel. Hostile gunmen had fired on a friendly unit with rocket-propelled grenades and assault weapons before the unmanned aircraft identified and targeted them.

A Predator employed a Hellfire missile against a group of anti-Afghan forces personnel who had engaged coalition ground troops with RPGs and a long-barreled firearm. The Predator operator coordinated extensively with ground forces to ensure no civilians were present in the area and to ensure enemy personnel were positively identified. A coalition aircraft and a Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier also supporting the engagement both performed shows of force to deter enemy attacks and restrict their movement as ground forces moved in.

In the Asadabad area, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle bombed an enemy mortar site, ending indirect fire against Afghan and coalition security forces. The aircraft followed up the strike with a show of force to ensure no additional enemy fire took place.

A coalition jet conducted a show of force to deter enemy attack while a helicopter picked up a medical patient at a landing zone. The jet also conducted a strafing attack against enemy forces in a treeline after hostile personnel fired RPGs.

Air Force A-10s flew several shows of force to stop an anti-Afghan forces mortar bombardment against friendly troops. The A-10s used strafing passes and a general purpose 500-pound bomb to destroy enemy fighting positions when hostile fire continued. The aircraft marked their targets with smoke prior to opening fire with live munitions, allowing coalition ground forces to confirm the enemy positions were properly identified.

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. Additionally, a coalition aircraft provided tactical reconnaissance.

In total, 62 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eighteen 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 100 airlift sorties were flown, 420 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,300 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 152,400 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Jul 3, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 11 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 Hawk 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 36 sorties and off-loaded approximately 1.9 million pounds of fuel to 110 receiving aircraft.