Oct. 7 airpower summary: B-1Bs strike anti-Afghan forces

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s and GBU-38s onto anti-Afghan forces and anti-Afghan fighting positions near Farah. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Oruzgan, a B-1B dropped GBU-31s and GBU-38s onto anti-Afghan fighting positions and anti-Afghan forces in a compound. Furthermore, Navy F/A-18C Hornets fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces. The mission was reported successful by a JTAC.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped GBU-31s onto anti-Afghan forces engaging coalition forces in the vicinity of Shkin. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force to deter insurgent activities near Bamian and in the vicinity of Nurestan. The missions were declared successful by JTACs.

Navy F/A-18Fs conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities near Farah and in the vicinity of Surkhabad. JTACs reported the missions successful.

F-15Es performed shows of force to deter insurgent activities near Sheykhabad. The missions were confirmed successful by JTACs.

In total, 69 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Fourteen Air Force and coalition 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 47 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 terrorist activities.

Twenty-seven 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 134 airlift sorties were flown, 339 tons of cargo delivered and 3,651 passengers were transported. This included approximately 61,500 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Oct. 6, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 58 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 295 receiving aircraft.