Sept. 9 airpower summary: Predator fires missiles, disarm enemy

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general purpose 500-pound bombs, guided bomb unit-12s and fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan fighting forces using small arms fire from a building in the vicinity of Nangalam. Furthermore, A-10s conducted shows of force in the same area to discourage further anti-Afghan attacks. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the missions successful.

Near Oruzgan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper dropped a GBU-12 on insurgents using mortar fire against coalition forces. The mission was confirmed a success by a JTAC.

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator used Hellfire Missiles to disarm anti-Afghan forces with weapons in the vicinity of Balocan. A JTAC declared the mission successful.

Near Musa Qala, a Navy F-18F Super Hornet fired cannon rounds at a sniper on a roof top. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles and Navy F-18C Hornets conducted shows of force in the vicinity of Gereshk to provide armed aerial security to friendly forces moving through a village. JTACs confirmed the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Garmsir, F-18Cs conducted shows of force to provide armed surveillance due to suspicious activity in areas of interest. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

F-15Es conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities near Bagram. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

In total, 77 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In total, coalition aircraft flew 40 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, 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 120 airlift sorties were flown, 330 tons of cargo delivered and 3,200 passengers were transported. This included approximately 84,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 8,  Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 200 receiving aircraft.