May 23 airpower summary: F-15Es prevent enemy confrontation Published May 25, 2009 Southwest Asia (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets conducted strafing runs against anti-Afghan forces in a treeline near Lashkar Gah. Friendly forces had begun receiving enemy fire shortly after departing a forward base. In Farah, a B-1B Lancer conducted a strike targeting an anti-Afghan forces Heroin stockpile and a transport truck. The same aircraft also provided cover for a medevac operation after a convoy vehicle struck an improvised explosive device, escorting the convoy back to base once medical helicopters departed. An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force over Qalat after Afghan and coalition troops took mortar fire. The maneuver suppressed further attacks. A Navy Super Hornet conducted shows of force and launched flares in the area near Ghazni following an IED explosion and ambush against Afghan National Army troops. The maneuver stopped the attack allowing the ANA to withdraw and regroup from the scene of the ambush. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet conducted shows of force near Qal-E-Naw, Qalat and Bagram to deter enemy forces. The aircraft prevented confrontation from taking place during security and reconstruction operations without needing to use lethal force. 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 the 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, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 21 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-one Air Force and Navy ISR 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 150 airlift sorties were flown, 500 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,800 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 36,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On May 22, Air Force tankers flew 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 247 receiving aircraft.