Aug. 21 airpower summary: Lancers show force

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed an enemy firing position near Nangalam with cannon rounds. The ground commander confirmed the rounds hit their intended target.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s and 31s on enemy firing positions in Asadabad. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the bombs impacted their targets.

Also in Asadabad, A-10s fired cannon rounds at enemies in a compound. The pilots also provided shows of force to stop the enemy fire. The firing ceased after the second show of force.

A-10s dropped GBU-12s on enemies in an area around Orgun-E.

Also in Orgun-E, French Mirage 2000s provided shows of force over enemy compounds. An Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of force near Orgun-E as well.

F-15Es dropped GBU-38s, GBU-31s and GBU-12s on enemy buildings in Garmsir and Kajaki Dam. All of the weapons dropped were called successful by the JTAC.

In total, 46 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, a B-1 dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on a terrorist safe house and roads in Salman Pak and Samarra. The terrorist safe house was destroyed.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided overwatch and looked for improvised explosive devices around Tikrit.

A-10s dropped GBU-12s on and fired cannon rounds at a weapons cache in Taji. F-16s also struck the weapons cache with GBU-38s and GBU-12s. The cache was destroyed by the strikes.

Other F-16s watched over a possible vehicle-borne IED, a convoy and a raid in Samarra. The pilots reported to the ground that insurgents were escaping from the building being raided.

An F-16 provided a successful show of force with flares over Ad Diwaniyah. The pilots also provide overwatch for a raid.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 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.

Twenty-one Air Force, Navy, RAF 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.

U.S. 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 160 airlift sorties were flown, 625 tons of cargo were delivered and 3,360 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 27,040 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 August 20, U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 207 receiving aircraft.