July 9 airpower summary: F-16s perform shows of force

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto anti-Afghan forces near Qalat and in the vicinity of Sangin. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Shkin, F-15Es dropped GBU-31s onto anti-Afghan forces. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

An Air Force MQ-9 Reaper dropped GBU-12s onto enemy combatants near Kandahar.  A JTAC reported the mission successful. 

A Navy F/A18C Hornet fired cannon rounds onto enemy combatants in the vicinity of Now Zad. The mission was confirmed a success by a JTAC.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed shows of force to deter anti-Afghan activities in the vicinity of Orgun-E. A JTAC declared the mission successful. 

A Navy F/A18E Super Hornet performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Asadabad. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

An A-10 performed shows of force to deter enemy combatants near Gardez. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

In total, 71 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a GBU-38 onto a improvised explosive device in the vicinity of Khan Bani Sad. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Samarra, an F-16 conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities. The mission was reported successful by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 51 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-two Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two 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 137 airlift sorties were flown, 554 tons of cargo delivered and 1,986 passengers were transported. This included approximately 58,200 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On July 8, Air Force, French, RAF and Singaporean tanker crews flew 61 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 240 receiving aircraft.