June 18 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 June 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier conducted a show of force over an enemy position in Tarin Kowt. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission a success.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-12s, GBU-31s and GBU-38s onto anti-Afghan forces' positions in Orgun-E. An F-15E performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities by anti-Afghan forces in the area. The missions were reported as successful by a JTAC. 

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired rockets and cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces positions in Orgun-E. Also in the area, F-15Es dropped a GBU-12, GBU-31s and GBU-38s onto various anti-Afghan forces positions. A JTAC confirmed the missions as a success.

An F-15E conducted a show of force in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in Ghazni. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

In Bari Kowt and in the vicinity of Nangalam, A-10s fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces. A JTAC reported the missions as successful.

In Bagram, A-10s fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces locations. Furthermore, an A-10 performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities by anti-Afghan forces. The missions were confirmed as successful by a JTAC.

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator fired a Hellfire missile onto enemy combatants in the vicinity of Kandahar. A JTAC declared the mission a success.

In Orgun-E, an Air Force B-1B conducted a show of force over enemy positions. The mission was reported as successful by a JTAC. 

F-15Es performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities by anti-Afghan forces in the vicinity of Bari Kowt and Orgun-E. A JTAC confirmed the missions a successful.

A GR-9 Harrier conducted a show of force over enemy positions in the vicinity of Musa Qal'eh. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

In total, 56 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in Baqubah. A JTAC reported the missions as a success.

In the vicinities of Balad and Al Amarah, shows of force were conducted by F-16s in order to deter enemy activities. The missions were confirmed as successful by a JTAC.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets performed shows of force over enemy positions in the vicinity of Al Amarah. A JTAC declared the missions as successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 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-seven Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Air Force and Navy 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 147 airlift sorties were flown, 589 tons of cargo delivered and 1,498 passengers were transported. This included approximately 81,520 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 June 17, Air Force, RAF and Singaporean aerial refueling crews flew 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 188 receiving aircraft.