Airpower Summary for July 12: bombers fly close-air support

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, near Orgun-E, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto anti-Afghan forces. An F-15E conducted a show of force in the vicinity of Worzhanah Kalay, to deter anti-Afghan force activity. On-scene joint terminal attack controllers confirmed the missions successful.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a GBU-38 onto enemy combatants near Morghab. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

In the vicinity of Sangin, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet and F/A-18C Hornets dropped GBU-12s and GBU-38s onto enemy combatants. French Mirage-2000s dropped GBU-12s onto additional enemy combatants. The JTAC reported the missions successful.

Near Bagram, F-15Es fired cannon rounds and conducted shows of force to deter anti-Afghan forces near a convoy. The mission was confirmed a success by the JTAC.

A B-1B dropped GBU-38s onto anti-Afghan positions in the vicinity of Nangalam.  F-15Es dropped GBU-31s, GBU-38s and conducted shows of force onto additional enemy combatants to deter anti-Afghan activity. The JTAC declared the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Barikowt, an F-15E conducted a show of force in support of coalition forces. In addition, an F-15E performed a show of force to deter activities by anti-Afghan forces in the vicinity of Sheykhabad. The missions were reported a success by on-scene JTACs.

In total, 60 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducted a show of force in the vicinity of Samarra to deter enemy activities. The mission was declared successful by the JTAC.

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 over watch 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.

U.S. Air Force 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.

Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown, 620 tons of cargo were delivered and 3,491 passengers were transported. The airlift included approximately 62,200 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On July 11, Air Force, French, RAF and Singaporean tankers flew 62 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 284 receiving aircraft.