June 26 airpower summary: B-1B targets insurgent facility

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft carried out strikes using guided bomb unit-12s and strafing passes to clear anti-Afghan snipers from a treeline and an open area. The jet engaged after the enemy snipers opened fire against a friendly unit near Sangin. Nearby other coalition multirole aircraft targeted an enemy building being used as a fighting position with GBU-38s and carried out a show of force to deter enemy forces from attacking a convoy.

Near Gereshk, coalition jets came to the assistance of Afghan and coalition troops who were taking heavy enemy rocket-propelled grenade and automatic-weapons fire. The aircraft destroyed two enemy fighting positions using GBU-12s and carried out shows of force, expending flares. After the aircraft intervened, enemy forces stopped firing and fled the area. 

An Air Force B-1B Lancer laid down multiple GBU-38s, blasting apart a treeline where anti-Afghan fighters had dug in and were firing on a coalition unit with RPGs and assault weapons. After destroying the enemy concentration, the aircraft passed on the location of an enemy mortar position and tracked additional enemy personnel to a compound, allowing ground forces to move in on remaining anti-Afghan forces.

A Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado and an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted shows of force in Tarin Kowt, expending flares, in order to deter enemy forces from carrying out additional attacks. Anti-Afghan gunmen had fired on an Afghan and coalition convoy, disabling a vehicle. The aircraft circled the area, spotting threats for ground forces and providing top cover.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flying over Bagram flew a show of force and expended numerous flares to deter enemy aggression against a coalition forward base. Enemy personnel had fired at the base with RPGs and machine guns but dispersed when the gunship arrived.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 62 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nineteen 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 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-two 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, 460 tons of cargo was delivered and about 4,000 passengers were transported. This included about 57,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On June 25, 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 crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 241 receiving aircraft.