Aug. 5 airpower summary: A-10s unleash awesome firepower

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 5 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed enemies near Orgun-E with cannon rounds. The pilots followed the insurgents to some caves and dropped guided bomb unit-12s on the caves.

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator guided the A-10s to the targets. The Predator also attacked the insurgents with a Hellfire missile.

Other A-10s strafed a compound in Sangin with cannon rounds after ground forces had come under fire. The firing ceased after the strafing passes. Earlier, the pilots also conducted a show of force with flares to break enemy contact in a different part of Sangin. Another pair of A-10s watched over the scene of the attack afterward.

In Now Zad, an A-10 destroyed an enemy mortar position with a general purpose 500-pound bomb. The pilot also provided a show of force with flares over Gereshk to reassure friendly forces in the area.

French Mirage 2000s conducted successful shows of force over Orgun-E and Farah.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted a show of force with flares to help ground forces withdrawal from Kajaki Dam.

Another F-15E watched over a convoy moving between forward operating bases in Shkin. Groups of F-15Es provided ongoing overwatch for a convoy in Gardez that had been attacked and had a disabled vehicle.

In total, 35 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 A-10 provided a show of force with flares to stop enemies fleeing from their firing position and give ground force enough time to capture them. The pilots also provided overwatch for a raid that lead to discovering the firing position. 

RAF GR-4 Tornados provided shows of force with flares for coalition forces operating in Baghdad and Basrah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 52 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.

Sixteen Air Force, Navy, RAF and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two 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 130 airlift sorties were flown, 346 tons of cargo were delivered and approximately 3,600 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 21,400 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 4, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 190 receiving aircraft.