Aug. 16 airpower summary: Air transports vital to moving supplies

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit -38s and GBU-31s near Jalalabad. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the drops were successful. 

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds at enemies in Jalalabad. One of the pilots also released a GBU-12 near the insurgents as well. 

In Asmar, Air Force B-1B Lancers dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on enemy firing positions. The JTAC reported good hits from the bomb drops. 

An F-15E attacked enemy firing positions in Gereshk with cannon rounds and a GBU-38. The aircrew also performed a show of force over a known enemy stronghold. The engagements were all reported as successful. 

Another F-15E dropped a GBU-31 on an enemy firing position in Kajaki Dam. The aircrew also performed a show of force over an enemy position to keep them from attacking. 

More F-15Es provided a show of force and presence over a convoy with a disabled vehicle in Bermel. There were no attacks reported after the F-15Es passed over. 

Navy EA-6B Prowlers provided shows of force over locations in Shinkay and Khowst.
In total, 34 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. 

Ten Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. 

In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator damaged a ground unit in Basrah used to aim and fire rockets with a Hellfire missile . 

Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets looked for suspicious activity and vehicles around Baghdad. 

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon provided a show of force over a sniper position in Tarmaiyah. The sniper fire ceased after the show of force. 

F/A-18 Hornets provided a show of force with flares and convoy escort in Numaniyah. 

In total, coalition aircraft flew 68 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, RAF and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, five Navy and Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. 

Air Force C-130 Herrcules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. 

Some 138 airlift sorties were flown, 341 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,552 passengers were transported. 

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

On August 15, Air Force, French and RAF aerial refueling crews flew 68 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 249 receiving aircraft.