May 29 airpower summary: F-16 provides show of force

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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 May 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a strafing run against a group of anti-Afghan forces firing rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns against a coalition forward base. The aircraft followed up with a show of force to discourage any additional attack.

Near Qal-E-Naw, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle carried out a warning strafe to stop an enemy vehicle at the request of pursuing coalition ground forces. The occupants of the vehicle had carried out a mortar attack a short while earlier.

An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper conducted a strike using a guided bomb unit-12 to hit an enemy group planting an improvised explosive device. The Reaper also assisted an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter in tracking and targeting additional enemy personnel.

Over Asadabad, an F-15E carried out a show of force over enemy fighting positions to suppress enemy fire. Anti-Afghan forces had been shooting at Afghan and coalition personnel.

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, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon conducted a show of force near Mosul after Iraqi security forces came under fire. The aircraft flew the maneuver to establish the presence of airpower, prompting the gunmen to cease fire and flee the area.

Coalition aircraft flew 31 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-five Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three Air Force and coalition 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, 500 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,100 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 42,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On May 28, Air Force tankers flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 250 receiving aircraft.