Feb. 6 airpower summary: F-15s hit enemy combatants

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

In Afghanistan, an F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-38 onto a position where enemy combatants were located. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission a success.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier conducted shows of force in the vicinity of Kajaki Dam in order to deter enemy activities in the area. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

In total, 33 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 RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, F-16 Fighting Falcons used a GBU-12 and GBU-38s to successfully destroy a house-borne improvised explosive device, an enemy combatant command and control building and an enemy weapons bunker. The strikes took place in the vicinity of Baqubah.

A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet dropped GBU-38s onto a car that had been destroyed and was filled with ordinance. The JTAC reported the mission as successful.

In Basrah, a RAF GR-4 Tornado successfully destroyed enemy mortar rocket rails using cannon rounds. Additionally, the GR-4 Tornado conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the area.

In Mosul, F-16s dropped a GBU-12 and GBU-38s onto an enemy building that coalition forces had been taking fire from. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 65 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 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 138 airlift sorties were flown; 463 tons of cargo were delivered and 3,416 passengers were transported. This included approximately 56,800 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Feb. 5, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 221 receiving aircraft.