June 14 airpower summary: A-10s provide convoy security Published June 16, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and a coalition aircraft conducted strikes near Tarin Kowt in response to a firefight between Afghan and coalition units and an anti-Afghan force. The aircraft employed guided bomb unit -38s, GBU-31s, and a GBU-12 to strike enemy fighting positions and a tactical command post which were scattered through the area. Enemy personnel offered heavy opposition, opening fire with assault weapons and a crew-served machine gun position, until the aircraft arrived and destroyed their positions and emplacements. Near Asadabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles bombed a group of enemy gunmen in an open field following their engagement of Afghan troops with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. After tracking the enemy personnel to a location away from civilian residences, the jets hit them with a GBU-31 and a GBU-38. F-15Es used GBU-38s and -31s to destroy a cluster of enemy bunkers from which anti-Afghan forces were staging improvised explosive device attacks. The aircraft engaged the bunkers after a friendly unit came under fire. An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II also used its 30mm cannon to strafe enemy forces armed with assault rifles taking cover in a treeline. The A-10 then conducted a show of force to discourage any potential enemy counterattack. Near Balocan, coalition troops called in an F-15E to perform a show of force after they came under fire from anti-Afghan forces with RPGs and machine guns. The aircraft's appearance ended hostile fire. A coalition aircraft flew a show of force near an old Russian fort where anti-Afghan forces were believed to be staging for an attack. An Afghan convoy passed through the area without incident following the maneuver. Later, Royal Air Force aircraft carried out shows of force along the route of a coalition supply convoy to deter enemy aggression as the vehicles returned to base. An A-10 executed a show of force, expending flares, while flying cover for a coalition convoy moving through Shinkay. The unit's movement went smoothly, allowing them to deliver their supplies without anti-Afghan forces provoking violence. In the area of Ghazni, an F-15E conducted a show of force to safeguard a convoy passing through. The aircraft also provided surveillance over the area, providing "eyes in the sky" for the convoy commander. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 54 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Ten Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 13 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-five Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 130 airlift sorties were flown, 600 tons of cargo were delivered and approximately 2,650 passengers were transported. This included approximately 72,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On June 13, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 12 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 Pave Hawk 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 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.2 million pounds of fuel to 154 receiving aircraft.