Feb. 8 airpower summary: KC-135s refuel coalition aircraft

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped a guided bomb unit-38 on an anti-Afghan firing position and provided shows of force to suppress enemy activity during a ground engagement near Garmser. The Super Hornets provided air support to coalition patrols in the area who had been receiving rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire.

Near Lashkar Gah, a coalition aircraft employed a GBU-12 and a strafing pass, striking enemy snipers concealed in a building. The snipers had been firing at coalition soldiers when the aircraft's weapons halted their attack.

In the vicinity of Musa Qala, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet used a GBU-12 and a GBU-38 to strike enemy gunmen engaging coalition patrols during an active firefight. The coalition ground force commander called in air support after the enemy opened fire with RPGs and assault weapons from positions in buildings and nearby rolling terrain.
An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II executed pre-planned strikes with GBU-38s on enemy targets in the vicinity of Morghab, supporting coalition operations.

In the area near Balocan, a coalition aircraft and a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet performed shows of force and expended flares to deter enemy attacks during two separate engagements. Enemy personnel ceased firing immediately upon the jets' arrival, hastily retreating to avoid being targeted.

A-10s flew shows of force in the vicinity of Ghazni and Moqor to deter enemy activity against coalition convoys transiting the areas. The convoys reached their destinations safely under aerial escort.

A coalition aircraft executed a show of force and expended flares over Gereshk after anti-Afghan gunmen intentionally mixed with a civilian crowd before opening fire at a dismounted coalition patrol. In light of the apparent attempt to bait coalition soldiers into inflicting civilian casualties, the coalition patrol commander requested the aircraft fly a show of force as a non-lethal deterrent.

In the Monari region, an F-15E flying convoy support performed a show of force along the convoy route to deter a potential enemy attack. The convoy was able to proceed to its final objective without interference.

On-scene 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.

Thirteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 37 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 ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, 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, more than 475 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,075 passengers were transported.

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

On Feb. 7, Air Force tanker crews flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 305 receiving aircraft.