July 10 airpower summary: F-15Es provide close-air support

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-12s onto anti-Afghan fighting positions in the vicinity of Nangalam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission successful. 

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces and conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities in the vicinity of Worzhanah Kalay. The mission was confirmed successful by a JTAC.

An F-15E dropped a GBU-38 onto anti-Afghan forces attacking coalition forces in the vicinity of Lwara. In addition, an A-10 conducted a show of force. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Bari Kowt, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-31s onto anti-Afghan forces. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

An F-15E dropped a GBU-31 onto anti-Afghan forces in the vicinity of Shkin. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Worzhanah Kalay, F-15Es performed shows of force to deter enemy activities. JTACs reported the missions successful.

A-10s conducted shows of force to deter anti-Afghan activities in the vicinity of Musa Qala, Shkin and Worzhanah Kalay. The missions were declared successful by JTACs.

In the vicinity of Orgun-E, French 2000 Mirages performed shows of force to deter enemy activities. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

In total, 68 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nineteen Air Force, Navy 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, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a guided bomb unit-12 onto enemy combatants and vehicle in the vicinity of Baquabah. A JTAC confirmed the missions successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 50 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-three Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Air Force 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 148 airlift sorties were flown, 517 tons of cargo delivered and 3,548 passengers were transported. This included approximately 28,740 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On July 9, Air Force, French, RAF and Singaporean tanker crews flew 63 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 274 receiving aircraft.