Aug. 22 airpower summary: Transports keep cargo, pax on the move

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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 Aug. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted successful shows of force to stop enemy firing while ground units were exiting an area near Kajaki Dam.

Enemy fire emanating from a compound in Kajaki Dam ceased after a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier destroyed the building with enhanced Paveway II munitions. The RAF pilot's wingman also dropped a general-purpose 540-pound bomb near the compound.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed an enemy exit route near Asadabad with cannon rounds. The pilots also watched over friendly forces during a medical evacuation. Another A-10 provided a show of force with flares over the area to ensure enemies did not attack. The engagements were all considered successful.

Also in Asadabad, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s on a group of insurgents who were firing upon ground forces. The firing stopped after the bombs were dropped. The B-1 also provided shows of force with flares over a valley near Kabul.

F-15Es and A-10s provided shows of force with flares to deter enemies from attacking in areas near Kandahar. The shows of force provided positive results. Later, other F-15Es provided overwatch for a medical evacuation in the area.

A B-1 provided shows of presence over coalition routes near Shindand.

A GR-7 provided a show of force over an area in Ganjabad to stop a potential attack.

In total, 45 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.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed an improvised explosive device factory in Baghdad with GBU-38s and GBU-12s and one of the F-16s conducted a show of force to intimidate insurgents.

Also in Baghdad, F-16s provided overwatch for a convoy struck by multiple IEDs. Other F-16s monitored an explosive ordnance disposal team investigation in the area earlier in the day. Another group of F-16s watched over friendly forces conducting a raid. The pilots kept eyes on a possible vehicle-borne IED and surrounding buildings during the raid.

Navy F/A-18 Hornets also patrolled and looked for suspicious activity in parts of Baghdad.

Near Kirkuk, an F-16 provided a show of force to disperse people suspected of observing a forward operating base in the area. 

RAF GR-4 Tornados monitored troops conducting convoy operations near Basrah.

A-10s conducted successful shows of force with flares over areas in Bayji. The pilots showed force over an IED event that demolished a school building.

Also in Bayji, an F-16 performed a show of force over an area after a vehicle-borne IED event. The pilots also watched over a subsequent coalition raid.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 67 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.

Fifteen Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, five Air Force and 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. 

Some 155 airlift sorties were flown, 565 tons of cargo were delivered and 4,095 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 37,220 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 21, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 250 receiving aircraft.