Dec. 30 airpower summary: Tankers vital to war effort

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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 Dec. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-38 on enemy combatants north of Qalat. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the bomb struck the intended target.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs successfully performed shows of force with flares north of Deh' Rawod, according to a JTAC.

F-15Es struck enemy personnel, positions and a compound with GBU-12s and a GBU-38 in Deh' Rawod. In addition, an F-15E conducted a show of force in the area. A JTAC confirmed the missions were successful.

Royal Air Force Harrier GR-9s used enhanced Paveway II munitions, a 540-pound bomb and rockets against enemy structures and fighting positions in Deh' Rawod. Enemy combatants were engaging coalition forces in the area. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-38s on enemy combatants north of Deh' Rawod. Additionally, the B-1B supported a coalition force engagement by dropping GBU-31s and GBU-38s in Qalat. The missions were reported as successful by a JTAC.

An A-10 engaged enemy combatants with cannon rounds, 500-pound bombs and a GBU-38 north of Qalat. The strikes were deemed as successful by a JTAC.

Multiple coalition aircraft supported coalition forces by conducting shows of force in Afghanistan. F-15Es showed their presence to deter enemy activities in Shkin, Gereshk and Kabul. A GR-9 performed a show of force over a checkpoint in Sangin, an A-10 conducted a show of force over coalition positions in Bagram and a French Mirage 2000 conducted a show of force in Gereshk. JTACs involved declared each mission successful.

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

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

In Iraq, a RAF Tornado GR-4 performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Salman Pak. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet engaged improvised explosive device emplacers hiding in a structure in Balad City with a GBU-51. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Baghdad. The show of force achieved the desired effects, according to a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 68 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 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 support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. 

Some 146 airlift sorties were flown, 623 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,678 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 9,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 29, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 36 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 202 receiving aircraft.