July 3 airpower summary Published July 6, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado used a Paveway guided munition to strike a sniper hideout and enemy firing position in the corner of a compound near Chahar Bagh. Ground forces carefully obtained positive identification that no civilians were present in the area before requesting the strike, which landed directly on target and brought an abrupt halt to enemy gunfire against friendly forces. A large engagement near Tarin Kowt resulted in the scramble of a number of coalition aircraft over the area. Among them, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and a B-1B Lancer conducted strikes with a strafing run and guided bomb unit-38s respectively. After the A-10 flew shows of force as a warning to enemy forces, the aircraft engaged. The jets destroyed enemy fighting positions and an observation post which had been coordinating an attack on Afghan and coalition personnel and vehicles. The B-1B also provided overwatch for a convoy after an improvised explosive device was exploded near a convoy vehicle. Near Asadabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performing overwatch for an Afghan and coalition patrol dropped GBU-38s against several enemy fighting positions. The strikes stopped an enemy small arms attack. An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper and A-10s in the Soltani region responded to an anti-Afghan forces attack in which enemy gunmen opened fire with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns from prepared fighting positions. The Reaper hit two separate groups of enemy shooters using a GBU-12 each. The A-10s employed GBU-38s and 30mm strafes to hit additional enemy forces in a building and in an open field, bringing the fight to a close. The A-10 also used shows of force as a means of suppressing enemy fire while avoiding damage to civilian buildings being used by anti-Afghan forces as cover. An Air Force B-1B flew a show of force near Tarin Kowt after a friendly convoy came under enemy fire. The maneuver caused enemy personnel to cease fire and pull back. The Lancer also assisted coalition ground forces by scouting the area for threats. A coalition aircraft and a GR-4 flew shows of force near Lashkar Gah to stop small-arms fire from enemy firing positions concealed in local settlements. The firing, apparently aimed at drawing return fire onto civilian homes, was stopped when the aircraft arrived. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. Twenty Air Force initelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In total, 59 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. 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 100 airlift sorties were flown, 430 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,560 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 60,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On Jul 2, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported six 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. U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.4 million pounds of fuel to 155 receiving aircraft.