June 9 airpower summary: Reaper targets anti-Afghan forces

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted strafing attacks anti-Afghan forces during a firefight in Asadabad. The aircraft also carried out shows of force and launched flares to deter an enemy counterattack.

Coalition aircraft dropped GBU-12s and made several strafing passes against enemy gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades attacking an Afghan convoy near Gereshk. The jets remained following the strike, scanning the ground for additional enemy personnel and conducting surveillance of the area.

In the vicinity of Balocan, an MQ-9A Reaper launched a series of Hellfire strikes targeting anti-Afghan forces in a field. The group, carrying weapons in preparation for an attack, was located by a coalition and Afghan ground unit.

Near Surkhabad, an F-15E Strike Eagle conducted multiple GBU-38 and -31 weapons drops, destroying a cluster of anti-Afghan forces fighting positions and an enemy compound. Enemy forces had opened fire and were engaging Afghan and coalition personnel with automatic weapons.

An F-15E flew a show of force while flying overwatch over Konduz in order to put a stop to an enemy ambush. An Afghan convoy came under assault from automatic weapons fire, but the attack was halted after the aircraft made its presence known.

In the Bagram area, an A-10 carried out a show of force to deter enemy aggression against a coalition forward base. Sentries at the installation had detected enemy forces preparing for an imminent attack, but the attack was prevented when the Thunderbolt arrived on scene. An F-15E also flew shows of force in the wider Bagram area to discourage additional enemy activity.

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

In total, 85 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, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 26 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 and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 125 airlift sorties were flown, 450 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,800 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 79,600 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On June 8, HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported four patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield.

Aerial refueling crews flew 61 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 million pounds of fuel to 285 receiving aircraft.