June 15 airpower summary: F-15, A-10 execute multiple strafing runs

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

Two Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft supported ground operations as coalition forces were taking small-arms fire near Gereshk in Southern Afghanistan. The first aircraft performed a strafing run on a tree line containing enemy combatants firing on coalition positions. The second aircraft performed a show of force and expended flares helping to suppress enemy fire in the area. Both aircraft continued to support the ongoing operations by performing intelligence, survellience and reconniasance missions of compounds in the area that had previously contained enemy combatants.

Near Conduz, F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs executed multiple strafing runs on a tree line containing enemy forces and eliminating the threat. In addition to 20 and 30mm munitions fired by the F15s and A-10s, the A-10s expended smoke rounds to help mark targets prior to the strafing passes. The aircraft continued to provide ground forces armed overwatch and shows of force and expended flares to successful quell enemy activity.

A-10s near Ghazni carried out shows of force, expending flares, to stop enemy small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire on a friendly forces convoy which had been hit by an improvised explosive device. The aircraft performed multiple strafing passes with 30mm cannons on enemy forces engaged with coalition soldiers. Each pass hit their targets and were deemed successful by ground controllers.

In Southern Afghanistan near Lashkar Gah, F/A-18Fs conducted several strafing runs with 20mm rounds on enemy vehicles and forces hidden in a tree line who had been firing small-arm rounds and RPGs on friendly forces from their protected position. Their efforts reduced enemy fire and destroyed the targeted vehicle. The aircraft remained on station to provide overwatch for friendly forces and successfully dropped GBU-12 munitions on enemy forces firing on ground forces from a compound.

Coalition aircraft flew multiple shows of force near Tarin Kowt in Southern Afghanistan to deter enemy activity. The shows of force allowed friendly forces to proceed on their mission without any interference from the enemy.

Coalition aircraft performed overwatch and a show of force near Washir to support coalition ground force operations. As a result of this mission ground forces were able to continue their mission without further contact with anti-Afghan forces.

In Southwest Afghanistan near Lashkar Gah a B-1B Lancer conducted a show of force to deter an enemy force small-arms attack on coalition ground troops. The B-1B stayed on station and performed overwatch through the remainder of its mission.

Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft performed a show of force in Northwest Afghanistan near Now Zad in support of friendly forces that were under attack by small-arms fire. The attack halted the enemy attack. The aircraft remained on station to perform armed overwatch of ground forces.

Near Chahar Bagh, F-15E aircraft dropped multiple GBU-38 munitions, landing a direct hit on a building containing enemy forces. The aircraft remained on station to support ground operations through armed overwatch as ground force operations continued.

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

In total, 78 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, two coalition and two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 21 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-three Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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, 500 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,750 passengers were transported. This included about 97,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On June 15, HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 10 patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan.

Aerial refueling crews flew 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 227 receiving aircraft.