July 1 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 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs employed 30mm Avenger cannon strafes and a guided bomb unit-12 to strike a group of enemy personnel on ridgelines. The strike put a stop to an anti-Afghan forces attack on friendly personnel near a forward base near Asmar. The aircraft returned to the area for a second engagement against additional enemy forces, using general-purpose 500-pound bombs to hit a group of gunmen trying to conduct another attack. Near Gereshk, a coalition aircraft used a GBU-38 to hit an enemy fighting position in a compound after ground forces positively confirmed that non-combatants were not in the area. The strike targeted an improvised bunker along the outer wall, placing the strike to avoid damage to nearby buildings. The aircraft also carried out a strafe against enemy forces concealed in a tree line. Later, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a GBU-38 on a second enemy compound, taking out an enemy fighting position inside. A second B-1B used a show of force and launched flares to prevent enemy action. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles used GBU-38s to take out anti-Afghan forces in an open field near Asadabad. The enemy personnel had engaged a friendly unit with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. An additional F-15E carried out a show of force in the same area, expending flares, deterring an enemy attack on a friendly convoy. In the vicinity of Jalalabad, an A-10 launched flares as it performed a show of force to stop an enemy attack. Enemy forces armed with assault rifles were taking shots against an Afghan and coalition unit. A Royal Air Force Tornado and a B-1B each conducted a show of force to prevent enemy aggression during ground operations in Nad-E Ali and Sangin respectively. Friendly ground forces had been taking fire, but enemy forces stopped firing and withdrew after the aircraft arrived. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 50 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Twenty-three Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, a coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 24 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, 533 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,440 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 40,200 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On Jun 30, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported four 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 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 196 receiving aircraft.