Sept. 17 airpower summary: Maintainers keep them flying

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

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles targeted enemies in a tree line near Kajaki Dam with cannon rounds, guided bomb unit-38s and GBU-31s.  An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the weapons hit the target and the desired result was achieved.

Near Garmsir, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted enemies in tree line with cannon rounds. The pilots continued the engagement, firing cannon rounds on enemies trying to relocate to a new position. The JTAC confirmed the strikes were successful.

The A-10s also provided overwatch for a convoy awaiting medical evacuation which had been hit by an improvised explosive device.

Royal Air Force GR-7 and GR-9 Harriers targeted enemy mortar positions near Sangin with rockets and a general purpose 540-pound bomb to cease enemy fire. The JTAC confirmed the weapons hit the target and enemy fire ceased.

F-15Es in Sangin provided overwatch for a coalition ground forces.

An A-10 near Gereshk conducted a show of force with flares to deter further enemy attacks on a coalition convoy that had been hit by an explosive device. The show of force was considered successful.

Also near Gereshk, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of force with flares to deter enemy attacks on another coalition convoy. The JTAC confirmed the show of force as successful.

In total, 36 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Navy F/A-18 Hornets targeted an enemy weapons cache in Baghdad with GBU-38s. The JTAC confirmed the strikes were successful.

In Baqubah, F-16s targeted a building containing explosive making material with GBU-38s. The JTAC confirmed the target was destroyed.

An F-16 conducted a show of force in Miqdadiyah to deter hostile persons in the vicinity of coalition forces. The show of force was deemed successful by the JTAC.

An A-10 provided a show of force over a convoy in Al Kut that was investigating a suspected IED. The show of force successfully deterred hostile activity.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 61 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, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, seven Navy 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 160 airlift sorties were flown, 490 tons of cargo were delivered and approximately 4,800 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 42,300 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 16, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 250 receiving aircraft.