Oct. 21 airpower summary: B-1Bs show force, presence

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

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B1-B Lancer struck an enemy compound located in Musa Qal'eh with a guided bomb unit-31. The strike successfully hit and destroyed the target. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the destruction and declared the mission was successful.

In total, 29 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs successfully denied the enemy use of an IED cache located in a building north of Fallujah. The A-10s struck the building containing the cache using cannon rounds and GBU-38s. The JTAC confirmed the destruction of the target and assessed the mission was successful.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon supported ground forces in Karbala during a hostile engagement with enemy combatants by demonstrating a show of force. The JTAC confirmed the mission achieved the desired affect.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 49 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, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

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, 412 tons of cargo were delivered and 4,115 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 9,300 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Oct. 20, Air Force, French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 36 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 188 receiving aircraft.