June 2 airpower summary: KC-135s provide fuel support

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II strafed enemy forces in a field near Ali Kheyl during an engagement between anti-Afghan gunmen and coalition and Afghan security forces. The aircraft followed up with shows of force to suppress the enemy, helping friendly forces disengage and regroup.

Near Shahidan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a strike against enemy personnel occupying a ridgeline. The aircraft dropped a guided bomb unit-38 to destroy the enemy fighting position. The aircraft also carried out a show of force and launched flares to deter a counterattack.

F-15Es flying over Bagram intervened to stop an enemy attack against a coalition and Afghan unit. Using a show of force, a strafing pass and then a GBU-38 as increasing measures to stop enemy fire, the jets allowed friendly ground forces to break contact with the larger enemy force they had encountered. Enemy fire ceased entirely after the jet bombed an enemy position.

In the vicinity of Qal-E-Naw, Strike Eagles tracked enemy personnel from a firefight to a creek bed where the anti-Afghan personnel attempted to take cover. The aircraft dropped several GBU-12s and a GBU-31, targeting groups of armed personnel and putting a stop to residual enemy fire.

A B-1B Lancer dropped a pattern of GBU-38s to hit a cluster of enemy forces near the Helmand River. The enemy personnel targeted had been firing rocket-propelled grenades and small arms at friendly troops.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets carried out shows of force over Sangin in response to coalition and Afghan forces which had come under automatic weapons fire. The jets overflew an enemy compound containing a command post, and an enemy position in a built up area where civilians were present. The shows of force halted enemy action without requiring lethal force.

In the Qalat area, an F-15E flew a show of force, stopping enemy fire against a supply convoy. The aircraft escorted the convoy to base without further incident. Another Strike Eagle flew a similar mission over Orgun after anti-Afghan forces had engaged Afghan government forces with RPGs and assault weapons. 

Air Force and Navy aircraft performed shows of force in several other areas of Afghanistan, including Asadabad, Lashkar Gah, and Gereshk in support of security and humanitarian supply operations. The shows of force prevented or stopped several anti-Afghan forces attacks, allowing Afghan government and coalition efforts to advance security and reconstruction despite attempts to interfere.

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

In total, 73 close-air-support missions were flown in support of 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 addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 29 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-nine 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 125 airlift sorties were flown, 590 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,400 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 148,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Jun 1, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 57 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 225 receiving aircraft.