Jan. 2 airpower summary: Predators on the prowl

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted air strikes against enemy structures in Gereshk with guided bomb unit-31s and GBU-38s. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the mission a success.

In the same area, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs engaged enemy combatants with a GBU-12 and cannon rounds. The mission was reported as successful by the JTAC.

A MQ-1B Predator targeted enemy combatants in Deh Rawod with a Hellfire missile. The JTAC reported the strike as a success.

Cannon rounds, fired by F-15Es, were used against enemy combatants in Gereshk. The mission was reported as a success.

Shows of force were performed by a French Mirage 2000 in Musa Qala and Now Zad. Another show of force was conducted by a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier in Gereshk. In Jalalabad, a show of force was performed by an F-15E. Shows of force are used to deter enemy activities. These missions were reported as successful.

In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seven Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets targeted improvised explosive devices in Baghdad with GBU-38s. The JTAC reported that the IEDs were successfully destroyed.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon performed shows of force in Baghdad and Samarra. The shows of force were performed to deter enemy activities in the areas.

A RAF GR-7 Tornado conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in Basrah. The mission was reported as a success.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 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-one Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.  Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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. 

Some 143 airlift sorties were flown, 453 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,751 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 6,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 1, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 221 receiving aircraft.