Sept. 6 airpower summary: C-17s deliver the goods

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided a successful show of force over enemies in Kajaki Dam. Later, the aircrews dropped guided bomb unit-38s on an enemy compound in Gereshk. The aircrews also fired cannon rounds on enemies in a tree line close to the bombed out compound. The engagements were considered successful.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II provided a show of force to aid coalition forces trying to enter a village near Tarin Kowt. Later, the pilots struck an enemy compound with GBU-12s. They also hit enemies in the open with a general-purpose 500-pound bomb and made strafing passes over the area as well. The A-10 also conducted another show of force over the area before exiting the area of responsibility.

Another group of A-10s attacked enemies with cannon rounds, general purpose 500-pound bombs and a GBU-12 in Tarin Kowt. The enemies had fired rockets at friendly forces from their position.

Also in Tarin Kowt, Royal Air Force GR-9 Harriers destroyed a building using general-purpose 540-pound bombs and Enhanced Paveway II munitions. The building was being used as a mortar observation position. The pilots also provided a show of force over a separate fighting position. The firing ceased after the show of force.

Another GR-9 dropped general-purpose 500-pound bombs on enemies in a compound in Garmsir. In the same engagement, a GR-7 fired Enhanced Paveway II munitions at a second compound. Enemy fire ceased from that location afterward. The GR-9 attacked enemies in a tree line with rockets. Firing stopped from that location as well.

F-15Es attacked insurgents in a tree line with cannon rounds in Sangin. The aircrew also performed a successful show of force with flares over a hostile area in Now Zad.

A French air force Mirage 2000 and a French air force Mirage F-1 conducted shows of force over areas near Qal-E-Naw and Ghazni.

An F-15E conducted a successful show of force with flares over an enemy position in Asadabad. The show of force was to deter a possible attack on ground forces.

In total, 41 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed an earthen bridge with GBU-38s near Baghdad. One of the F-16s fired cannon rounds at enemies near the bridge as well.

Other F-16s destroyed a weapons cache using GBU-38s in Salman Pak.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed another bridge in Al Iskandariyah using a GBU-38 and a GBU-31.

F-16s conducted successful shows of force over an al-Qaida leader's compound and to deter enemy attacks in Baqubah.

A-10s also provided shows of force with flares over target areas in Baqubah an Ash Sharqat.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 50 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, 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, 610 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,984 passengers were transported. This included approximately 33,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 5, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 260 receiving aircraft.