June 11 airpower summary: F-15Es respond to enemy attack Published June 15, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations June 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s and -38s and employed strafing attacks to hit armed anti-Afghan forces personnel along with their tactical command and control positions. The strikes occurred after enemy forces were detected massing for an attack on an Afghan and coalition unit. In the vicinity of Asadabad, an A-10 Thunderbolt II used a GBU-38 to take out enemy gunmen who had been attacking a coalition observation post. Enemy personnel opened fire on the position and conducted rocket attacks. An additional A-10 conducted a show of force in the area to deter an attack against a coalition convoy. Near Lashkar Gah, A-10s marked positions along a treeline with smoke rounds before engaging with their cannons in several strafing passes. The targets were enemy personnel dug in throughout the grove who were firing into a coalition forward base. Later in the same area, an B-1B Lancer and an F-15E responded to another enemy attack as rocket grenade and machine gun fire came down on Afghan government security forces. This time, the attack came from an enemy fighting positions within walled compounds and a number of shooters set up in nearby fields and stands of trees. The aircraft employed GBU-38s, GBU-31s, and strafing runs to end the threat and relieve Afghan troops. An F-15E conducted a show of force to deter enemy forces trying to intercept an Afghan and coalition supply convoy traveling through Asadabad. Anti-Afghan forces were peppering the convoy with RPGs and a variety of automatic weapons when the jet passed low overhead and expended flares, causing them to flee the scene and give up the attack. The convoy was able to proceed with its mission, delivering reconstruction and humanitarian supplies to a local village. A coalition aircraft flew a show of force after enemy personnel triggered a roadside bomb against a friendly convoy vehicle in Balocan. The show of force prevented an enemy ambush from taking place, allowing the convoy to recover its equipment and personnel in another vehicle and continue to its destination. A coalition aircraft along with A-10s and F-15Es conducted shows of force in several other areas of Afghanistan including Asadabad, Sangin, Gereshk, and Lashkar Gah. The shows of force served as a warning, deterring enemy forces preparing attacks against Afghan and coalition units operating in those areas. It also prevented enemy gunmen from interfering with combined Afghan-coalition reconstruction missions intended to make Afghanistan civilians safer and more prosperous. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 58 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 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. C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 145 airlift sorties were flown, 530 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,670 passengers were transported. This included about 180,340 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On June 10, HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 13 patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 188 receiving aircraft. U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 188 receiving aircraft.