Oct. 5 airpower summary: Maintainers keep fleet flying

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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 Oct. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. 

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto an enemy position located on a ridge in Asadabad. The joint terminal attack controller reported that the rounds hit the intended targets and stopped the attack on friendly forces. 

A French Mirage 2000 provided a show of force during an improvised explosive device armed overwatch in Gereshk. 

An A-10 in Asadabad performed a show of force to assist friendly forces firing on enemy personnel contained in a cave. The JTAC confirmed that the desired joint terminal attack controller result was achieved. 

In Orgun-E, A-10s attacked enemy personnel with cannon fire, guided bomb unit-12s, rockets and hellfire missiles. The mission was reported successful by the JTAC.
In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. 

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

In Iraq, Navy F/A-18 Hornets conducted an air strike on a building containing an IED trigger man in Tarmiyah with GBU-12s. The structure was destroyed. 

An F/A-18 performed a show of force with the use of flares to deter enemy activity along the Euphrates River in Baghdad. Enemy actions were deterred. 

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducted a show of force using flares to quell an enemy uprising. The show of force was successful. 

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-two Air Force, Navy and RAAF surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. 

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 160 airlift sorties were flown; 513 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,024 passengers were transported. 

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

On Oct. 4, Air Force, French and RAF aerial refueling crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 200 receiving aircraft.