Feb. 13 airpower summary: B-1Bs destroy targets

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts IIs dropped a guided bomb unit-12 and fired cannon rounds onto a disabled coalition forces vehicle to keep the vehicle from falling into enemy hands. The A-10s also conducted shows of force to disperse crowds that were beginning to form near the disabled vehicle. The missions were declared successful by an on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

In Tarin Kowt, an A-10 fired cannon rounds onto an enemy vehicle containing enemy combatants. A JTAC reported the mission as successful.

In Sangin, A-10s dropped GBU-12s and fired cannon rounds destroying an improvised explosive device located under a bridge.  A JTAC reported the mission as successful.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a GBU-31 onto an enemy mortar position in the vicinity of Jalalabad. The mission was confirmed a success by a JTAC.

Shows of force were conducted by Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles in the vicinity of Tagab, Orgune and Bari Kowt in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in those areas. A JTAC declared the missions successful.

In total, 42 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.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s onto a weapons cache in the vicinity of Baqubah. The mission was reported as successful by a JTAC.

A show of force was performed by an F-16 in Mosul in order to deter enemy activities on coalition forces responding to a situation in the area. A JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.

In Baghdad, a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet dropped a GBU-38 onto a house-borne improvised explosive device. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

An RAF GR-4 Tornado conducted a show of force over a coalition forces convoy in the vicinity of Basrah to deter enemy activities against the convoy. A JTAC reported the mission a success.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 66 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-five Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six 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 135 airlift sorties were flown, 651 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,542 passengers were transported. This included approximately 52,480 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Feb. 12, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 234 receiving aircraft.