Oct. 24 airpower summary: Supplying the warfighter

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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 Oct. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles struck an enemy fighting position located in Bari Kowt with guided bomb unit-38s, GBU-12s, and a GBU-31. The enemy combatants were engaging coalition forces with hostile fire. The munitions hit their intended target and effectively subdued the enemy position. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the mission was a success.

An F-15E conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity in Ghazni. The demonstration achieved its desired result. The JTAC declared the mission a success.

A show of force was performed by an F-15E to deter enemy action against a coalition convoy movement in Bagram. The JTAC assessed the mission was successful.

In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown in support of  ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used a GBU-12 and cannon fire to engage enemy combatants with a weapons cache located in Baqubah. The enemy combatants were observed transporting the weapons cache. The JTAC confirmed the mission was successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 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.

Eighteen Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. 

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

Approximately 155 airlift sorties were flown and 2,569 passengers were transported. Total cargo weights for C-130s are currently not available but will be reported at a later time, 360 tons of cargos were delivered by C-17s. This included approximately 6,400 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Oct. 23, Air Force, French, and RAF tankers flew 37 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.2 million pounds of fuel to 169 receiving aircraft.