July 2 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 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft executed a strike with a guided bomb unit-12 against an enemy building after ground forces had received mortar fire from the structure. The troops watching the building confirmed there were no civilians present before calling in the strike. In the Lashkar Gah area, Air Force A-10s conducted strafing passes against enemy fighting positions which were actively shooting at friendly forces, firing rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. The aircraft fired smoke markers to confirm the target with ground forces before switching to live rounds. The aircraft conducted a show of force later in their mission to prevent additional enemy aggression. Nearby, a coalition aircraft arrived over a separate firefight, putting a strafing run down on a treeline where enemy forces were dug in. The strafing run impacted on enemy positions where gunmen armed with RPGs and machine guns were firing on an Afghan and coalition unit. A coalition aircraft flying over Now Zad responded to an enemy assault rifle and machine gun attack against a friendly unit. The aircraft performed a show of force, causing enemy forces to break off the attack. Near Tarin Kowt, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flew a show of force to stop enemy fire after a dismounted Afghan security forces and coalition patrol came under attack. The arrival of the fighters stopped the enemy engagement. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 59 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Twenty-two Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In Iraq, an Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon flew a show of force to deter enemy activity in Ba'qubah. The maneuver succeeded in preventing an escalation of violence. Coalition aircraft flew 17 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 130 airlift sorties were flown, 430 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,850 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 45,400 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On Jul 1, 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 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.4 million pounds of fuel to 138 receiving aircraft.