July 20 airpower summary: C-17s support heavy airlift missions Published July 23, 2008 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s onto enemy fighting positions near Anar Derreh. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the mission successful. Near Gardez, an F-15E dropped a GBU-31 onto an anti-Afghan mortar team. Furthermore, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator fired a Hellfire missile onto an enemy mortar team. The mission was confirmed successful by a JTAC. An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-31s and 38s onto enemy fighting positions in the vicinity of Nangalam. Additionally, F-15Es dropped GBU-38s onto an anti-Afghan mortar team. A JTAC declared the missions successful. In the vicinity of Qarah Bagh, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a GBU-12 onto enemy vehicles carrying improvised explosive devices. Furthermore, F/A-18Fs conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities. The mission was reported successful by a JTAC. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped GBU-38s onto enemy forces engaging coalition forces near Khowst. Additionally, a B-1B dropped a GBU-31 onto anti-Afghan forces. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful. In the vicinity of Khowst, an F-15E dropped a GBU-31 onto an enemy mortar team. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities in the vicinity of Qarah Bagh. A JTAC reported the mission successful. French 2000 Mirages conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities near Mushan. The mission was confirmed successful by a JTAC. In total, 69 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Fifteen Air Force and RAF 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 45 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. Thirty 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 134 airlift sorties were flown, 588 tons of cargo delivered and 1,712 passengers were transported. This included approximately 86,256 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 19, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 65 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 293 receiving aircraft.