May 31 airpower summary: C-130s deliver for warfighters Published June 2, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, several Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were called in for strikes during a firefight between an Afghan and coalition convoy and enemy gunmen firing from a building in Ghazni. The aircraft used guided bomb unit-38s to hit the fighting positions and targeted additional enemy personnel who arrived after the strike. One of the jets flew shows of force and launched flares to deter an enemy counterattack. Later in the same area, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flying overwatch for a coalition convoy flew shows of force when a coalition unit detected enemy forces setting up for an ambush. An A-10 also flew a show of force to deter enemy aggression against an Afghan National Police convoy which was struck by an improvised explosive device. In the vicinity of Qal-E-Naw, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet carried out a show of force over a residential compound after friendly troops nearby began taking mortar fire from that area. The barrage ended after the maneuver, avoiding the need to employ an air strike. In Musa Qala, a coalition aircraft flew a show of force at the request of a coalition unit which was being shot at and under fire from an enemy mortar position. The aircraft's presence deterred the enemy attack. An F-15E flying over Bagram conducted a show of force while covering Afghan and coalition dismounted security forces patrolling the streets. A ground unit had requested the show of force to prevent hostilities while it carried out operations. In Asadabad, an A-10 performed a show of force and launched flares to prevent enemy attack on a friendly patrol. The patrol was able to do its job without enemy interference, providing security and humanitarian aid for local residents. Navy F/A-18C Hornets patrolling over Lashkar Gah flew shows of force as a warning to anti-Afghan forces personnel who had temporarily taken control of a town. Enemy personnel had vacated the town by the time a friendly unit arrived a short while later. Nearby, a show of force from another Hornet prevented a confrontation between a group of anti-Afghan personnel and a smaller force of coalition troops. The unit achieved its objectives without any violence taking place. An F/A-18F performed a show of force to discourage suspected IED emplacers digging along the side of a road. The individuals ran off when the aircraft flew overhead. Near Tarin Kowt, an F/A-18C carried out shows of force to cover a coalition resupply convoy as it travelled to a forward installation. The mission was completed without incident. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 76 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Seventeen Air Force initelligence, 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 20 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. 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 130 airlift sorties were flown, 480 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 May 30, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 245 receiving aircraft.