April 26 airpower summary: Predators take out enemy positions

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Apr. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired a Hellfire missile onto an enemy combatant near Bagram. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission successful.

Shows of force were conducted by an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle near Bagram. The shows of force were conducted in order to deter enemy activities in the area. The JTAC reported the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Nangalam, F-15Es dropped a guided bomb unit-31 and GBU-38s onto enemy combatants in various enemy positions. The mission was confirmed a success.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto enemy combatant firing positions in the vicinity of Asadabad. The JTAC declared the mission a success.

In Nangalam, an A-10 performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in the area. The missions were reported as successful.

An A-10 conducted a show of force over enemy positions in Khowst. The JTAC confirmed the mission a success.

In Ghanzi, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier performed a show of force over coalition forces in order to deter enemy activities against them. The mission was declared successful.

In total, 41 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eleven 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 GBU-38 onto a house-borne improvised explosive device in the vicinity of Samarra. The JTAC reported the mission a success.

In Baghdad, MQ-1Bs fired Hellfire missiles onto enemy combatants and an enemy vehicle. Furthermore, a Navy F/A-18 Hornet conducted a show of force over enemy positions to deter enemy activities in the area. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 69 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-four Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Air Force and Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. 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.

Some 135 airlift sorties were flown, 595 tons of cargo delivered and 3,375 passengers were transported. This included approximately 102,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Iraq flew missions in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Apr. 25, U.S. Air Force, French and RAF aerial refueling crews flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 248 receiving aircraft.