May 16 airpower summary: Lancer turns back enemy forces

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

In Afghanistan, a firefight near Morghab prompted Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles to perform shows of force and launch flares. The aircraft conducted the maneuvers in order to turn back anti-Afghan personnel firing weapons including rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns at a friendly convoy.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force near a coalition forward base in order to deter enemy aggression. The maneuver pre-empted the need to conduct a kinetic strike in an area which might have endangered Afghan civilians.

Near Lashkar Gah, an Air Force B-1B Lancer carried out a show of force which ended an enemy attack. Anti-Afghan forces were firing at Afghan National Police personnel and quickly fled the area when the bomber arrived.

A provincial reconstruction team operating in Tarin Kowt called in an A-10 to perform a show of force to prevent enemy activity. The team was engaged in rebuilding operations and was concerned that anti-Afghan forces were preparing an attack to stop their assistance effort.

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

In total, 52 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eighteen 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, coalition aircraft flew 27 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-six Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, an 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 150 airlift sorties were flown, 650 tons of cargo were delivered and about 4,300 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 86,000 pounds of resupply cargo airdropped over Afghanistan.

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

On May 15, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 167 receiving aircraft.