July 17 airpower summary: A-10s fire multiple weapons

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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 July 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto an enemy sniper position in the vicinity of Shindad. Additionally, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier dropped an Enhanced Paveway II munitions onto an enemy compound engaging coalition forces. Furthermore, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet fired cannon rounds and dropped GBU-12 and 38s onto an enemy compound engaging coalition forces and performed a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the mission successful.

Near Nangalam, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general purpose 500-pound bombs onto anti-Afghan fighting positions. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped GBU-12s and 31s onto enemy fighting positions near Bari Kowt. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Nangalam, A-10s fired cannon rounds and rockets onto anti-Afghan forces. The mission was reported successful by a JTAC.

An A-10 dropped GBU-12s onto an enemy compound engaging coalition forces near Bagram. A JTAC declared the mission successful.

Near Nangalam, F-15Es dropped GBU-31s onto anti-Afghan fighting positions. Furthermore, a B-1B dropped GBU-31s onto an enemy weapons cache and fighting position. The mission was confirmed successful by a JTAC.

In the vicinity of Nangalam, a B-1B dropped a GBU-31 and 38s onto enemy fighting positions. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

F-15Es conducted shows of force to deter anti-Afghan activities near Bari Kowt and Qal-E-Naw and in the vicinity of Shkin. The missions were declared successful by the JTACs.

Navy F/A18E Super Hornets performed a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities in the vicinity of Garmser. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

A-10s conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities near Gardez. The mission was reported successful by a JTAC.

In total, 70 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 56 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-four 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.

Approximately 142 airlift sorties were flown, 514 tons of cargo delivered and 1,729 passengers were transported. This included approximately 33,792 pounds of troop re-supply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On July 16, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 59 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 190 receiving aircraft.