Sept. 28 airpower summary: maintainers keep airpower soaring Published Sept. 29, 2007 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force in Farah to deter enemy activity along a coalition route. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the show of force achieved the desired result. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force with flares to discourage enemy attacks in Shkin. The JTAC reported the shows of force as successful. An Air Force B-1B Lancer targeted enemy positions in Bar Kanday with Guided Bomb Unit-38s and GBU-31s. The JTAC reported the targets were destroyed. The aircrew also performed a show of force with flares in Tarin Kowt to deter a possible ambush. The JTAC reported this show of force was also successful. In Kandahar, F-15Es targeted enemy positions on a mountain ridge with GBU-38s to halt enemy fire. The JTAC reported firing ceased from the positions. In Orgun-E, F-15s conducted shows of force to deter enemy activity around a coalition convoy. The JTAC confirmed the shows of force achieved the desired result. An A-10 conducted a show of force with flares to stop enemy forces from attacking coalition forces in Bari Kowt. In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Six Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, A-10s used a GBU-38s and GBU-12s to destroy an enemy building. The JTAC reported the building in Samarra was successfully destroyed. An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon targeted a weapons cache in Al Muqdadiyah with a GBU-12. The JTAC reported the weapons cache was destroyed. An Air Force MQ-1B Predator targeted improvised explosive device implacers in Baqubah with a hellfire missile. The strike was successful. The MQ-1B also targeted a building in Baqubah from which coalition forces were receiving fire. The strike was successful. An F-16 in Iskandariyah used a GBU-38 against enemies hiding in a palm grove. The enemies had attempted an attack on coalition helicopters. The JTAC reported the strike was successful. A Navy F/A-18 Hornet joined the engagement and struck the enemy with a GBU-12. The JTAC confirmed the weapon hit the target. An F-16 conducted a show of force in Baghdad to deter enemy activity. The JTAC reported the show of force as successful. In total, coalition aircraft flew 72 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. Nineteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 160 airlift sorties were flown, 400 tons of cargo was delivered and approximately 4,300 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 49,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On Sept. 27, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 260 receiving aircraft.