Sept. 25 airpower summary: F-16s deter anti-Afghan militia

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-16A Fighting Falcon fired cannon rounds and a coalition aircraft dropped a guided bomb unit-12 onto anti-Afghan militia who were using small arms fire against coalition forces in the vicinity of Sangin. On-scene joint terminal attack controllers reported the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Now Zad, an F-16A dropped GBU-12s onto insurgents in a compound using rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire. Furthermore, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet dropped a GBU-31 onto insurgents outside the compound trying to place an improvised explosive device in the same are. The missions were declared a success by the JTACs.

Coalition aircraft performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Farah. A JTAC confirmed the missions successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force to deter insurgent activities in the vicinity of Soltani and near Asadabad. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

F/A-18Cs conducted shows of force to deter insurgent activities in the vicinity of Sangin and near Ghazni. The JTACs declared 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.

Fifteen 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.

Thirty 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 125 airlift sorties were flown, 537 tons of cargo delivered and 3,869 passengers were transported. This included approximately 24,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 24, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 145 receiving aircraft.