May 6 airpower summary: Reaper targets IED emplacers Published May 8, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an F-15E Strike Eagle used guided bomb unit-38s to target an anti-Afghan forces weapons cache and a cave being used as an enemy outpost. The strikes took place after enemy personnel began firing on coalition and Afghan forces. An Air Force MQ-1 Predator used a Hellfire missile to target enemy gunmen firing from a rooftop near Gereshk. The gunmen had been shooting at friendly ground forces, who in turn called in the airstrike. Near Chahar Bagh, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper released a GBU-12, hitting a group of enemy troops. The Reaper targeted the group after observing them in the process of emplacing an improvised explosive device. A Navy F/A-18C Hornet carried out shows of force in Lashkar Gah and launched flares to suppress an enemy attack after Afghan security forces came under fire. The maneuver caused enemy personnel to cease fire and withdraw. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force in the vicinity of Ramak to deter enemy action while Afghan and coalition forces conducted a security sweep. Afghan National Police searched a mosque in which insurgents were believed to be basing their operations. An A-10 conducted several shows of force over Kabul following an explosion near a coalition forward base. Personnel at the base requested shows of force to deter suspected anti-Afghan forces activity following the explosion. In the Moqor area, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier conducted a show of force over a convoy to deter enemy forces activity in the immediate area. The aircraft also conducted a route sweep to assist ground forces in locating hidden IEDs. A coalition aircraft also flew a show of force in the area as an additional preventive measure against anti-Afghan forces actions. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 76 close-air-support missions were flown in support of 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 13 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. In addition, three Air Force and coalition 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 140 airlift sorties were flown, 450 tons of cargo were delivered and about 4,300 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 56,200 pounds of resupply cargo airdropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On May 5, Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 185 receiving aircraft.