Sept. 24 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

An Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired a Hellfire missile at an enemy vehicle near Farah to deny future use by insurgents.

In Kandahar, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed an enemy compound with cannon rounds. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed rounds hit the target and the desired result was achieved.

An Air Force A-10 in Garmsir targeted an enemy compound with guided bomb unit-12s. The JTAC reported the strikes were successful.

In Sangin, A-10s conducted shows of force with flares to break enemy contact with coalition forces and deter further enemy attacks. The JTAC reported the shows of force were successful.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles strafed a suspected enemy hideout in Kandahar with cannon rounds.

In Kabul, F-15Es targeted enemies in a tree line with cannon rounds and a GBU-38. The JTAC confirmed the strike was successful and the desired result was achieved.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted a show of force with flares in Kandahar. The JTAC reported the show of force was successful.

An A-10 performed a show of force with flares in Qalat to deter an enemy attack. The JTAC confirmed the show of force was successful.

In Gereshk, F-15Es conducted shows of force to deter enemy activity. The JTAC confirmed the shows of force had the desired effect.

In total, 43 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, a B-1B conducted shows of force in Baghdad to deter enemy activity. The JTAC reported the shows of force were successful.

An F-16 in Baghdad performed a show of force near the site of a coalition raid on improvised explosive device emplacers. The show of force was reported successful by the JTAC.

North of Baghdad, F-16s conducted shows of force to deter enemy indirect fire. The JTAC confirmed the shows of force were successful.

Other F-16s near Baghdad conducted shows of force to deter the enemy from transporting supplies along the Tigris River. The JTAC reported the shows of force were effective.

Near Salman Pak, an F-16 performed a show of force to deter enemy activity.

An F-16 conducted a show of force over Al Rashidiyah to make the population aware of military presence. The JTAC confirmed the show of force 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.

Nineteen Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and RAF aircraft 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 150 airlift sorties were flown, 430 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,000 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 22,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 23, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 220 receiving aircraft.