Sept. 14 airpower summary: F-15Es cover coalition forces

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force with flares in Sangin and Now Zad to deter anti-coalition activity. The joint terminal attack controller confirmed the shows of force were successful.

In Gardez, F-15Es provided armed overwatch for coalition forces searching a cave entrance.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer employed guided bomb units against enemies engaging coalition forces near Kajaki Dam. The pilot also conducted a show of force in Gereshk to deter further enemy activity. The JTAC confirmed the strike and show of force as successful.

Other F-15Es in Kajaki Dam targeted three enemy compounds with GBU-38s. Additionally, one of the pilots engaged an enemy sniper position with a GBU-31. The JTAC confirmed the weapons hit their targets and the desired results were achieved.

In Orgun-E, an F-15E flew a show of force over enemy positions. The show of force was deemed successful by the JTAC.

In Ghazni A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force with flares to make air presence known and deter enemy activity near a convoy. The shows of force were considered successful.

In total, 44 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine Air Force and Royal Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided overwatch for coalition forces establishing a patrol base in Muqdadiyah.

Also in the Muqdadiyah area, A-10s provided overwatch for a Bradley Fighting Vehicle struck by an improvised explosive device.

In Balad, F-16s provided overwatch for a convoy struck by an IED and waiting for medical evacuation. Other F-16s searched for IED emplacers in Balad and provided overwatch for an IED-clearing team in Tikrit.

Navy F/A-18 Hornets pursued enemy vehicles in Basrah.
In Baqubah, an F/A-18 struck a weapons cache with a GBU-51. The JTAC confirmed good affects.

In Al Kut, F/A-18s conducted shows of force with flares to discourage enemies from engaging a convoy searching for IEDs. 

RAF Tornado GR-4s conducted shows of force with flares over a known area of enemy activity. The shows of force were considered successful.

Twenty Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, seven Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. 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, 550 tons of cargo were delivered and approximately 4,800 passengers were transported. This included approximately 40,620 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. 13, Air Force and RAF aerial refueling crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 235 receiving aircraft.