Sept. 7 airpower summary: F-15Es provide armed overwatch

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

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-31 onto a sniper fighting position in a building in the vicinity of Balocan. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Salerno, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a general purpose 500-pound bomb and fired cannon rounds onto enemy positions in the open. A JTAC declared the mission successful.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a GBU-12 and conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan forces in the open after a coalition convoy began taking fire in the vicinity of Gardez. Furthermore, an A-10 conducted a show of force to provide armed aerial security patrol in the area. The missions were confirmed a success by JTACs.

In the vicinity of Nangalam, F-15Es dropped a GBU-12, GBU-31 and conducted a show of force to provide armed overwatch for helicopters traveling along that route. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

An F-15E conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan forces activities in the vicinity of Kabul. Furthermore, an F-15E conducted a show of force to provide security to an Afghan national police checkpoint on a bridge that was taking fire from insurgents near Orgun E. The missions were declared a success by JTACs.

In total, 44 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Fifteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 49 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 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 130 airlift sorties were flown, 330 tons of cargo delivered and 3,100 passengers were transported. This included approximately 8,300 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 5, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 61 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 260 receiving aircraft.