May 10 airpower summary: Airlift brings supplies to troops

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used 30mm cannons and guided bomb unit-38s to interdict anti-Afghan personnel who were spotted building fighting positions near Asmar. The aircraft employed weapons after Afghan and coalition ground forces gained positive identification of the armed enemy personnel.

In the Jalalabad area, A-10s also conducted strafing attacks and employed a GBU-38 and general purpose 500-pound bombs to strike anti-Afghan forces. Enemy gunmen had opened fire on a coalition observation post prior to the engagement.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets used GBU-38 strikes to destroy an enemy bunker and a covered dugout fighting position near Musa Qala. Enemy forces had attempted to ambush a coalition unit with an improvised explosive device and were firing on friendly forces with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and machine guns. The aircraft destroyed the enemy positions.

In the vicinity of Gardez, an F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force over enemy personnel firing rocket launchers and assault rifles to allow a dismounted Afghan and coalition forces convoy to break contact. The maneuver ended the firefight as the enemy gunmen quickly fled from the area.

Coalition aircraft flew shows of force over Lashkar Gah after an Afghan National Army and coalition force started receiving enemy RPG rounds and automatic gunfire. The jets succeeded in deterring the enemy shooters allowing friendly forces to break away and continue on their mission.

A Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier performed a show of force after enemy forces near Lashkar Gah were discovered preparing to ambush an Afghan humanitarian convoy from hiding spots in two local residences. The jet's appearance prevented the enemy from taking action, allowing the convoy to proceed to its destination and deliver relief supplies to Afghan residents.

An Air Force, Navy and RAF aircraft each conducted a show of force in other parts of Afghanistan to deter enemy action. The shows of force succeeded in preventing confrontations, allowing Afghan reconstruction and security efforts to proceed in the Karokh, Bagram and Kandahar areas without violence.

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

In total, 75 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty 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 24 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-eight 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 170 airlift sorties were flown, 600 tons of cargo were delivered and approximately 3,300 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 17,900 pounds of resupply cargo airdropped over Afghanistan.

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

On May 9, Air Force tanker crews flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 218 receiving aircraft.