Jan. 17 airpower summary: A-10s provide air support

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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 Jan. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a show of force was performed by an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II to deter enemy activity east of Kandahar. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the success of the mission.

Shows of force were performed by a French Mirage-2000 and a Mirage F-1 CR in order to deter enemy activities in Kajaki Dam. The JTAC reported that the missions were successful.

In total, 35 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Six Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. 

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a guided bomb unit-12 on an enemy vehicle loaded with combatants near Al Muqdadiyah. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

An Air Force MQ-1B Predator targeted and destroyed enemy coalition members using a hellfire missile. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission.

Near Tikrit, F-16s dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy an enemy compound. The JTAC reported the missions were successful.

In Baqubah, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy house-Borne improvised explosive devices. The JTAC declared the missions were successful.

An F-16 destroyed an HBIED using a GBU-38 in Baqubah. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission.

In Bayji, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was destroyed by an F-18 using a GBU-38. The JTAC reported the mission was successful. 

In Mosul, an F-16 dropped a GBU-38 on enemy combatants placing an IED. The JTAC declared the mission was successful.

In Basrah, Navy F/A-18C Hornets dropped a GBU-12, GBU-38, GBU-51, and fired a maverick missile in order to destroy enemy rocket launchers. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 66 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-two Air Force, Navy, and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 136 airlift sorties were flown; 327 tons of cargo were delivered, and 4,001 passengers were transported. This included approximately 91,960 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 16, Air Force, French, and RAF tanker crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 191 receiving aircraft.