Jan. 31 airpower summary: A-10s strike mortar team

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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 Jan. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II targeted anti-Afghan personnel with a 30mm cannon strafing pass after a coalition patrol discovered them preparing to fire mortars. The coalition was conducting its mission near Worzhanah Kalay when enemy forces began firing small-arms fire and readying their unsuccessful mortar attack.

Near Kajaki Dam, a Navy F/A-18A Hornet used a guided bomb unit-38 and a GBU-12 to destroy a bunker in which anti-Afghan shooters were firing rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. The Hornet and a coalition aircraft also conducted shows of force and expended flares to provide cover for maneuvering coalition ground units during the engagement.

An A-10 destroyed enemy heavy machine gun emplacements near Nangalam using general purpose 500-pound bombs, ending heavy fire directed at a coalition convoy.

In the Musa Qala area, a coalition aircraft bombed an anti-Afghan force compound with a precision-guided munition. A coalition ground commander ordered the strike after enemy forces began shooting at his unit with small-arms fire and RPGs.

An F/A-18A and a coalition aircraft performed shows of force and expended flares over Balocan after detecting persons carrying weapons in the area where a coalition patrol had been taking fire. The individuals dispersed following the maneuver.

Near Tarin Kowt, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet carried out shows of force to deter enemy activity while providing overwatch for a coalition convoy.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force in the Kandahar area to discourage suspected enemy personnel from planting improvised explosives along a heavily used highway. The aircraft refrained from releasing weapons in order to prevent harm to civilian travelers. The personnel quickly left the area when the aircraft appeared.

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

In total, 55 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 42 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.

Thirty Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Coalition aircraft flew missions concentrating on providing overwatch and surveillance for balloting centers and urban areas in order to provide non-intrusive security support to the government of Iraq as it conducted provincial elections. Efforts resulted in deterring insurgent forces that may have attempted to disrupt the democratic process.

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 120 airlift sorties were flown; more than 550 tons of cargo was delivered; and about 3,200 passengers were transported. This included approximately 7,000 pounds of troop resupply that was air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 30, Air Force tankers flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 233 receiving aircraft.