Sept. 25 airpower summary: A-10s ready to rumble

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations Sept. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer targeted a series of caves in Ghazni with guided bomb unit-38s and GBU-31s. The on-scence joint terminal attack controller reported the caves were destroyed.

The aircrew also performed a show of force in the area. The JTAC reported good effects.

A French Mirage 2000 targeted enemies in Asadabad with a GBU-12 to stop a suspected ambush. The strike was reported as successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs struck enemies in Asadabad with a general-purpose 500-pound bomb and cannon fire. The JTAC confirmed the munitions hit the target and the desired result was achieved.

The pilots also conducted shows of force to deter further enemy activity. The JTAC confirmed the shows of force were successful.

Another A-10 in Asadabad used a GBU-12 against an enemy cave. The JTAC confirmed the desired effect was achieved.

In the same area, A-10s strafed enemy forces with cannon rounds. The JTAC confirmed the rounds hit the targets.

Other A-10s provided shows of force with flares in Asadabad to deter enemy attacks. The JTAC reported the shows of force were successful.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles in Qalat used GBU-38s against enemies dug in on a ridgeline. The JTAC reported the strikes were successful.

In Sangin, an A-10 conducted a show of force with flares to deter attacks on coalition forces. The JTAC reported the show of force was successful.

In Sangin, F-15Es conducted shows of force to deter enemy attacks and allow coalition forces to relocate. The JTAC reported the desired effects were achieved.

In Gardez, A-10s performed shows of force with flares to deter enemy activity. The JTAC confirmed the shows of force were successful.

In Tarin Kowt, F-15Es targeted an enemy compound with GBU-31s. The JTAC confirmed the compound was destroyed.

Also in Tarin Kowt, F-15Es struck enemy buildings with GBU-12s and GBU-38s. The JTAC confirmed the buildings were destroyed.

One aircrew targeted enemies with a GBU-12 that were relocating from the destroyed building. The JTAC confirmed the strike was successful.

In total, 40 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAFand 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.

In Iraq, an MQ-1B Predator struck a weapon cache with a Hellfire missile near Baqubah. The strike was assessed to be successful.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons struck an enemy building in Karbala with GBU-12s. The JTAC reported the building destroyed.

In Samarra, an F-16 dropped a GBU-38 and a GBU-12 on a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. The JTAC confirmed the vehicle was destroyed.

A B-1B targeted an enemy building in Karbala with GBU-31s and GBU-38s. The JTAC reported the building was destroyed.

An RAF GR-4 Tornado conducted a show of force in Al Miqdadiyah to deter enemy activity. The JTAC confirmed the show of force was successful.

In Baqubah, an A-10 struck a building with a GBU-38 where two confirmed IED triggermen were inside . The JTAC reported the target was destroyed.

An F-16 conducted a show of force in Baghdad to demonstrate a military presence to the local populace. The JTAC reported the show of force was successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 53 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.

Twenty-one Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and RAFaircraft 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.

Approximately 140 airlift sorties were flown, 480 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,700 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 19,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 24, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 210 receiving aircraft.