June 28 airpower summary: C-130s deliver for warfighters Published July 1, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flying cover for a friendly unit engaged enemy forces who were shooting at coalition troops returning to a forward base near Asadabad. After first flying a show of force and expending flares to warn away the attacking enemy gunmen, the aircraft next used smoke markers to suppress enemy fire then escalated to live strafing passes after the gunmen kept shooting. The enemy fighting positions were destroyed by the jets' cannons. A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strafed a treeline in the Sangin area where anti-Afghan forces were dug in and firing at an Afghan and coalition unit. The rounds impacted on target, ending enemy gunfire. In the Qalat area, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator used a Hellfire missile and a guided bomb unit-12 to hit armed enemy personnel. The individuals were observed running from the point of origin of mortar fire, and had targeted a nearby Afghan and coalition forces convoy with assault rifle fire. A coalition jet flew a show of force to deter enemy attack after a ground unit detected an improvised explosive device set up in a suspected ambush site near Tarin Kowt. The presence of the aircraft prevented a firefight from beginning, avoiding potential risk to Afghan civilians. An A-10 flew a show of force during a convoy escort mission near Asadabad in order to prevent anti-Afghan forces from being able to take action. The convoy travelled past the area without incident, avoiding the possible threat posed by an enemy attack for friendly troops and area residents. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 74 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Twenty-one Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 12 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. 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, 230 tons of cargo were delivered, and about 2,580 passengers were transported. This included about 99,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On June 27, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported three patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60G 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 tanker crews flew 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 187 receiving aircraft.