Sept. 3 airpower summary: A-10s support ground troops Published Sept. 5, 2007 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force with flares to deter an enemy attack on ground forces near Qalat. The joint terminal attack controller confirmed the show of force as successful. Also in Qalat, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles watched over friendly forces searching a cave complex. Other F-15Es attacked insurgents with a guided bomb unit-38 and GBU-12s in Garmsir. One of the F-15Es provided a show of force with flares over the area as well. The engagements were considered successful. A-10s strafed enemies in Tarin Kowt with cannon rounds. The pilots also dropped a general-purpose 500-pound bomb and GBU-12s on a compound in the area. Sniper fire was coming from the compound before the A-10s fired the weapons. The JTAC confirmed good hits from the weapons. The A-10s also conducted shows of force over the area before the engagements. A Royal Air Force Harrier GR-9A dropped a general-purpose 540-pound bomb on an enemy firing position along a ridgeline in Oruzgan. The JTAC reported a direct hit on the target. Also in Oruzgan, an F-15E hit an enemy position with a GBU-38. A-10s provided successful shows of force with flares over enemy positions in Gardez. The shows of force were to force the enemy to give up its position and then to deter any attacks. The A-10s escorted the ground units back to their forward operating base. In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Eight Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, an Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed weapons caches near Ash Sharqat with multiple GBU-31s. The B-1B also performed a show of force with flares over the area. An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon provided a show of force over the area prior to the bomb drop and monitored the B-1B strike. Another F-16 watched over an area in Baqubah where multiple houses exploded. The pilots looked for a vehicle moving in the area supposedly carrying insurgents and watched over ground forces clearing an improvised explosive device. Also in Baqubah, Navy F/A-18 Hornets destroyed two vehicles with a Maverick missile and a GBU-51. People were seen moving materials into the vehicles. The F/A-18s fired cannon rounds at enemies who escaped from one of the vehicles. A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet monitored activities around a known terrorist training area, IED-making site and historic mortar positions around Balad. Later in Balad, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator hit an IED triggerman with a Hellfire missile. The Predator followed the suspect for sometime. The Predator also tracked IED emplacers laying down command wire. An F/A-18 also watched over the process and monitored the ground forces that moved in post strike. F-16s dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on enemy targets in Al Iskandariyah. The strikes were reported as successful. Other F-16s did a simultaneous show of force over the area as well. Other F-16s provided shows of force with flares over an area in Bayji to ensure enemies did not attack a convoy struck by an IED and a medical evacuation team that had arrived to help. RAF Tornado GR-4s conducted successful shows of force over areas in Basrah. In total, coalition aircraft flew 72 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. Seventeen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Navy 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, 330 tons of cargo were delivered and approximately 2,655 passengers were transported. This included approximately 40,600 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Iraq, Japan and Korea flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On Sept. 2, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 255 receiving aircraft.