Aug. 9 airpower summary: A-10s drop bomb, fire cannon at enemy targets

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and dropped a general-purpose 500-pound bomb onto anti-Afghan forces near Bagram. The joint terminal attack controller on-scene confirmed the mission successful.

F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in the vicinity of Saraw, Bala Morghab, Moqor, and near Jalalabad to deter enemy activities. The missions were declared successful by the JTACs.

A-10s conducted shows of force to deter insurgent activities in the vicinity of Shkin. The JTAC reported the mission was successful.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets performed shows of force near Musa Qala, Qalat, and in the vicinity of Sangin to deter anti-Afghan activities. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTACs.

F/A-18E Super Hornets conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Shinkay, Shurakian, and near Qal-E-Naw. The JTACs declared the missions were successful.

A B-1B Lancer performed a show of force in the vicinity of Mushan to deter insurgent activities. The mission was reported successful by the JTAC.

Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Shindand. The JTAC confirmed the mission was successful.

French Mirage-2000s performed a show of force in the vicinity of Sangin to deter anti-Afghan activities. The mission was declared successful by the JTAC.

In total, 78 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Thirteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Four Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto a house-based improvised explosive device. The JTAC reported the mission was successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 52 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. Four Air Force and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

More than 130 airlift sorties were flown; 599 tons of cargo delivered, and 1,373 passengers were transported.

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

On Aug. 8, Air Force, French, and RAF aerial refueling crews flew 54 sorties and off-loaded nearly 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 241 receiving aircraft.