March 9 airpower summary: C-17s deliver supplies to front

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a general-purpose 500 pound bomb and fired cannon rounds onto enemy combatants in the vicinity of Nangalam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission a success.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s and GBU-38s onto enemy combatant locations in the vicinity of Nangalam. Furthermore, a show of force was conducted by an F-15 Eagle in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in the area. The missions were reported as successful by a JTAC.

An A-10 performed a show of force over an enemy location in Bari Kowt. A JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.

A-10s performed shows of force to deter enemy activities against friendly forces in the vicinity of Orgune. The missions were declared successful by a JTAC.

In total, 38 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force and Royal 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 RAF GR-4 Tornado fired cannon rounds onto an enemy location in Basrah. A JTAC reported the mission as a success. 

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in in Balad. The mission was confirmed as successful by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 52 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-six Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force 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 141 airlift sorties were flown, 700 tons of cargo delivered and 3,543 passengers were transported.

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

On March 8, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 222 receiving aircraft.