Jan. 8 airpower summary: C-17s fly aeromedical evacuations

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

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force with flares to deter enemy activities in Orgune. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the show of force as a success.

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

Eight Air Force and Royal Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets targeted an al- Qaida training camp with guided bomb unit-38s in Babil. The al-Qaida training camp was destroyed and the mission was reported successful by a JTAC.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets destroyed improvised explosive devices with GBU-31s and GBU-38s in Babil. During separate missions in the same area, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed improvised explosive devices with GBU-38s and RAF GR-4 Tornados destroyed an IED with Enhance Paveway II munitions. A JTAC reported the missions as successful.

F-16s engaged enemy combatants by using GBU-12s and a GBU-38 in Samarra. The enemy combatants were engaging friendly forces with small arms fire. During the same mission, a Navy F/A-18 Hornet and an F/A-18F engaged enemy combatants with GBU-38s. A JTAC reported the missions as successful.

F-16s used GBU-12s to destroy a land bridge used by enemy combatants to transport weapons in Baqubah. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

A show of force was conducted by an F-16 to deter enemy activities in Baqubah. The show of force was accessed as successful by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 65 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-three Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support 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 support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 112 airlift sorties were flown, 362 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,321 passengers were transported.

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

On Jan. 7, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 35 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 176 receiving aircraft.