June 29 airpower summary: KC-135s fuel the fight 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 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s in a strike against two trucks carrying a cargo of approximately 40 tons of opium. Both the vehicles and the drugs were destroyed. Near Balocan, a Royal Air Force MQ-9 Reaper took out an anti-Afghan forces mortar team with a Hellfire missile. The strike was carried out in defense of Afghan and coalition forces who had received mortar and small arms coming fire from the enemy's location. A Navy F/A-18C Hornet and an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged near Qalat, targeting a group of anti-Afghan personnel with several guided bomb unit types and a strafing pass. Gunmen were firing at Afghan and coalition soldiers from the cover of a rock outcropping until the first bombs detonated among the enemy group. The remnants of the group were struck again as they began moving down the ridgeline in an attempt to escape into the mountains. An F/A-18C conducted shows of force, expending flares, during separate engagements in Chahar Bagh and Sangin. In both cases, the aircraft arrived to support ground forces under enemy fire and deterred the hostile attacks with the demonstrations. In the vicinity of Tarin Kowt, a RAF GR-4 Tornado flew a show of force after friendly troops started taking fire from enemy personnel armed with assault weapons. The maneuver caused the shooters to cease fire and flee the area. Near Mushan, an Air Force F-15E flew a show of force to prevent an enemy attack against a coalition convoy. The convoy proceeded to its destination without interference. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 80 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the 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 addition, three Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 22 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-seven 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, 490 tons of cargo were delivered, and about 3,350 passengers were transported. This included about 198,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On June 28, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported seven 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 aerial refueling aircraft and crews, including the KC-135 Stratotanker, flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 187 receiving aircraft.