May 28 airpower summary: F-15E Strike Eagles destroy enemy cave complex Published May 31, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, F-15E Strike Eagles and a Navy F/A-18C Hornet employed a variety of munitions during an engagement near Oruzgan. The strikes, using various guided bomb unit munitions, general purpose 500-pound bombs and cannon strafes, targeted anti-Afghan forces who were detected preparing for an attack on an Afghan and coalition unit. A convoy vehicle had been hit by an improvised explosive device, prompting the ground forces commander to call in air support. F-15Es and A-10s conducted strikes near Remak using GBU-31s and -38s. The aircraft destroyed a cave complex housing an enemy outpost and weapons cache and targeted enemy personnel in the immediate area. In the vicinity of Lashkar Gah, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet was called in by a coalition and Afghan unit after they began taking enemy rocket-propelled grenade, rifle and mortar fire. The jet made a strafing run against enemy personnel in an open field, putting a stop to hostile fire. A F/A-18F Super Hornet had conducted shows of force to suppress enemy forces action prior to the strike. An A-10 and F-15E bombed several enemy mortar positions near Asadabad using GBU-38s and a GBU-31. The emplacements had been bombarding friendly units in the area. Another A-10 also conducted a show of force and expended flares to stop fire against a nearby convoy. Near Musa Qala, an Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed an enemy command center using a GBU-31. The facility had been coordinating an attack by enemy gunmen armed with RPGs and assault weapons against an Afghan and coalition unit. An F-15E flew a show of force over Bagram to deter enemy forces firing on a coalition unit with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. The maneuver suppressed enemy fire allowing the unit to move to a more favorable position to regroup. Near Chahar Bagh an F/A-18F responded after an Afghan National Army unit began receiving small-arms fire. The Super Hornet's arrival reduced enemy fire and gave the Afghan soldiers freedom to maneuver. In Sangin, an F/A-18C intervened with a show of force after an ambush in which an Afghan government convoy took multiple hits from improvised explosive devices and was subjected to heavy fire from concealed gunmen in surrounding buildings. The maneuver stopped the attack, allowing the convoy to pull back to safety. An A-10 conducted a show of force and expended flares to prevent enemy interference as Afghan and coalition troops conducted a sweep operation. The troops located and cleared an enemy weapons cache with the aircraft providing overwatch. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 74 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Seventeen 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 28 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 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, 575 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,500 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 130,700 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 Hercules crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On May 27, Air Force tankers flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 260 receiving aircraft.