Oct. 6 airpower summary: F-16s conduct shows of force

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Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-31 onto anti-Afghan fighting position in the vicinity of Nangalam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the mission successful.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets conducted a show of force to deter insurgent activities near Qalat. The mission was reported successful by a JTAC.

Coalition aircraft performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Shurakian. A JTAC declared the mission successful.

F-15Es conducted a show of force to deter insurgent activities in the vicinity of Nurestan. The mission was confirmed successful by a JTAC.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Kajakidam, Surkhabad and Musa Qaleh. The JTACs reported the missions successful.

In total, 68 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a GBU-38 onto a building containing enemy combatants in the vicinity of Mosul. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

F-16s conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Tuz Khurmatu. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

In total, 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-eight Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Air Force 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 133 airlift sorties were flown, 511 tons of cargo delivered and 4,177 passengers were transported.

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

On Oct. 5, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 267 receiving aircraft.