Aug. 7 airpower summary: F-15Es remain vigilant

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s onto anti-Afghan fighting positions in the vicinity of Nangalam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Asadabad, F-15Es dropped a GBU-12 and GBU-31s onto enemy weapon caches. A JTAC reported the mission was successful.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier dropped Enhance Paveway II munitions in the vicinity of Now Zad where enemy forces were preparing to ambush coalition forces.  A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

French 2000 Mirages performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Musa Qaleh and Gereshk. The missions were declared successful by the JTACs.

F-15Es conducted a show of force to deter insurgent activities in the vicinity of Suggul. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities near Ghanzi. The mission was confirmed successful by a JTAC. 

In total, 72 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Al Kufah. A JTAC declared the mission was successful.

Navy F/A-18 Hornets performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Sabkhat Gharz. The mission was reported successful by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 41 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-five Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Air Force and RAF 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.

About 125 airlift sorties were flown, 383 tons of cargo delivered and 3,003 passengers were transported. This included about 24,000 pounds of troop re-supply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 6, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 65 sorties and off-loaded about 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 276 receiving aircraft.