March 27 airpower summary: A-10s destroy enemy targets

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto enemy combatants near Nangalam. The A-10s also conducted a show of force in the same area in order to deter enemy activities in the area. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission a success. 

A B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto enemy combatants near Qalat. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier performed a show of force to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in Qalat. A JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a GBU-38 onto an enemy combatant fighting position in the vicinity of Asadabad. Furthermore, A-10s fired cannon rounds and dropped general-purpose 500-pound bombs onto enemy combatants and a weapons cache in Asadabad as well as Nangalam. The missions were declared successful by a JTAC. 

A B-1B dropped a GBU-31 onto an enemy fighting position in Qalat. A JTAC reported the mission as a success.

In Bagram, Sangin and Uruzgan, F-15Es conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities in those areas. The missions were confirmed as successful by a JTAC.

A GR-7 Harrier performed a show of force in Kandahar to deter enemy activities in the area. A JTAC declared the mission a success.

In total, 45 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fired cannon rounds on to enemy combatants and an enemy vehicle in the vicinity of Basrah. The mission was reported as successful by a JTAC.

In Baqubah and Baghdad, F/A-18s performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in the areas. A JTAC confirmed the missions as successful.

A Navy F/A-18 Hornet fired cannon rounds onto an enemy building containing enemy combatants in the vicinity of Basrah. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted shows of force in the areas of Mosul, Iskandariyah, Baqubah and Najaf. The shows of force were conducted in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in those areas. A JTAC reported the missions as successful.

In Basrah, RAF GR-4 Tornados performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the area. The missions were confirmed as successful by a JTAC.

An F/A-18 conducted shows of force over positions in Basrah. A JTAC declared the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Nasiriyah, a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in the area. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 64 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-six Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, eight Air Force, Navy, 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, 391 tons of cargo delivered and 4,133 passengers were transported.

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

On March 26, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 262 receiving aircraft.