June 24 airpower summary: C-130 airlift keeps mission going

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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 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft engaged anti-Afghan gunmen in a field near Lashkar Gah with strafing passes after they failed to heed a show of force conducted as a warning. The enemy personnel had been firing on an Afghan and coalition ground unit. Later, a second coalition aircraft targeted a vehicle and a group of enemy saboteurs with a guided bomb unit-12 and a strafing pass after observing the individuals digging and setting up improvised explosive devices.

In Gardez, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet and Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flew shows of force in separate engagements in order to deter enemy aggression. The aircraft expended flares, allowing one friendly ground unit to search for enemy firing positions and another to safely break contact and continue with its mission.

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

In total, 77 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty 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 25 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-eight 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, 460 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,300 passengers were transported. This included about 98,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On June 23, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported six 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 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 236 receiving aircraft.