April 7 airpower summary: F-16s bomb enemy artillery

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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 April 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-31 onto an enemy position near Nangalam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission successful.

Shows of force were performed by French 2000 Mirages in the vicinity of Sangin. The shows of force were performed to deter enemy activities in the area. The missions were reported as successful by the JTAC. 

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted shows of force in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in Sangin and Kajaki Dam.  A JTAC confirmed the missions as successful.

A show of force was performed by an F-15E in the vicinity of Khowst in order to deter enemy activities in the area. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

In total, 43 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine Air Force 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 enemy artillery in the vicinity of Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.

An F-16 conducted a show of force over coalition forces in the vicinity of Basrah in order to deter enemy activities. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 44 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-eight Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance 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 123 airlift sorties were flown, 594 tons of cargo delivered and 4,484 passengers were transported. This included approximately 40,320 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On April 6, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 233 receiving aircraft.