July 7 airpower summary: C-130s help sustain SWA operations

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s onto enemy fighting positions in the vicinity of Bermel. Furthermore, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired rockets, cannon rounds and dropped general purpose 500-pound bombs onto additional enemy fighting positions in the area. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Nagalam, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped GBU-38s onto an anti-Afghan forces fighting position. A B-1B dropped a GBU-31 and GBU-38s onto additional anti-Afghan forces fighting positions. The missions were declared a success by a JTAC. 

B-1Bs dropped a GBU-38 and GBU-31s onto enemy combatants near Bari Kowt. The JTAC reported the missions successful.

F-15Es dropped GBU-31s onto enemy combatants taking shelter in a building in the vicinity of Molla Ashraf. The missions were confirmed a success by a JTAC.

French 2000 Mirages conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in the vicinities of Gereshk and Sagin. A JTAC reported the mission successful. 

An F-15E conducted a show of force to deter activities by anti-Afghan forces in the vicinity of Nagalam. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

Shows of force were performed by A-10s in Gardez to deter activities by anti-Afghan forces. A JTAC reported the mission as a success.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier performed a show of force to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

In total, 52 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 47 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-five Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force 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 129 airlift sorties were flown, 561 tons of cargo delivered and 2,441 passengers were transported. This included approximately 26,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On July 6, Air Force, French, RAF and Singaporean tanker crews flew 58 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 255 receiving aircraft.