Feb. 23 airpower summary: maintainers keep them flying

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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 Feb. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb unit-38 and GBU-31s onto an enemy weapons cache in the vicinity of Musah Qal'eh. The F-15Es also dropped a GBU-12 onto enemy combatants located near a mortar position and performed a show of force to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in the area. The missions were declared successful by an on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

Air Force B-1B Lancers dropped GBU-31s onto an improvised explosive device factory and enemy fighting positions in the areas of Kajaki Dam and Nangalam. A JTAC reported the missions as successful.

In Kajaki Dam, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier fired rockets onto an enemy combatant location successfully eliminating the target. A GR-7 also used enhanced paveway II munitions in Orgune to successfully eliminate enemy combatants who were firing upon coalition forces from the surrounding hills. Furthermore, the GR-7 conducted a show of force over coalition forces in Bermel that had intelligence that they were about to be attacked by enemy combatants. A JTAC declared the mission a success.

Shows of force were performed by F-15Es in the areas of Tarin Kowt and Sangin in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces. The missions were confirmed as successful by the JTAC.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force in the areas of Gereshk, Uruzgan and Bermel in order to deter enemy activities in those respective areas. A JTAC reported all missions as successful.

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

Seven 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 dropped GBU-38s onto an abandoned enemy weapons facility in the vicinity of Baghdad. Also in Baghdad, a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces. A JTAC reported the missions as successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 60 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-three 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 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 148 airlift sorties were flown, 625 tons of cargo delivered and 3,502 passengers were transported. This included approximately 22,800 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 Feb. 22, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.4 million pounds of fuel to 223 receiving aircraft.