Sept. 20 airpower summary: C-130s sustain airlift operations

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

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs engaged enemy forces in a tree line near Garmsir with general purpose 500-pound bombs and cannon fire. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the munitions hit their targets and the desired results were achieved.

The pilots continued the engagement and dropped guided bomb unit-12s on an enemy building. The JTAC confirmed the building was destroyed.

In Kajaki Dam, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles destroyed an enemy mortar position with GBU-12s. The results were confirmed by the JTAC.

Also near Kajaki Dam, A-10s engaged enemies in a tree line with cannon rounds to halt enemy fire. The JTAC confirmed the rounds hit the intended targets and the desired result was achieved.

A Royal Air Force GR9 Harrier performed a show of force to deter enemies from mounting an attack near Shkin. The JTAC confirmed the attack was deterred.

In Tarin Kowt, F-15Es engaged enemies in a tree line with a cannon rounds and a GBU-12. The JTAC reported the strike was successful and the desired affect was achieved.

An A-10 conducted a show of force near Orgun-E to deter further attacks on coalition forces. The JTAC confirmed the show of force had the desired result.

In Ghazni, an A-10 conducted a show of force with flares over coalition vehicles to deter enemy activity. The JTAC confirmed the show of force was successful.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer hit an enemy compound near Deh Rawod with GBU-38s. The JTAC confirmed the target was destroyed.

The aircrew also performed shows of force over Deh Rawod and Tarin Kowt. The JTAC reported the shows of force were successful.

An RAF GR-7 Harrier conducted a show of force near Gereshk to deter enemy activity in a village. The show of force was considered successful by the JTAC.

In total, 46 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine Air Force and RAF surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an F-16 Fighting Falconused a GBU-38 to destroy a house being used as a weapons cache near Balad. The pilot also targeted another house being used as an enemy safe house with a GBU-38. The JTAC confirmed the target was destroyed.

An F-16 in Baghdad struck an enemy escape house with a GBU-38 Version 4. This was the first use of a GBU-38 v4, low collateral damage estimate munition, in combat by an F-16. The JTAC reported the target was destroyed.

In Baqubah, A-10s dropped GBU-38s against an explosive-laden house. The JTAC confirmed the target was destroyed.

Also in Baghdad, a B-1B used GBU-38s against an enemy bridge and an enemy weapons cache. The JTAC confirmed the strikes were successful.

In Al Miqdadiyah, an F-16 conducted a show of force with flares to discourage enemies from engaging coalition forces awaiting recovery forces after being struck by an improvised explosive device. The show of force had the desired affect.

The pilot also provided a show of force with flares near coalition forces receiving sniper fire. The firing was reported to cease.

Also in Al Miqdadiyah, other F-16s provided shows of force to deter enemy small arms fire.

In Samara, F-16s fired cannon rounds at IED emplacers. The JTAC confirmed the rounds hit their target.

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.

Seventeen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two 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 165 airlift sorties were flown, 590 tons of cargo were delivered and some 4,300 were transported. Airlift included approximately 35,800 pounds of re-supply air-dropped into Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 19, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.4 million pounds of fuel to 220 receiving aircraft.