Aug. 2 airpower summary: Refuelers keep fleet flying

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier monitored suspicious vehicles and activities around Sangin.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed an enemy firing position with cannon rounds in Nangalam. The enemy ceased firing after the strafing passes. Other A-10s provided shows of force with flares for a medical evacuation after a convoy struck an improvised explosive device. Later, a different team of A-10s escorted the convoy to its forward operating base.

F-15Es also provided successful shows of force for a stopped convoy in Nangalam.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s on enemies hiding in a tree line near Baghran. The bomb drop was reported to have good effects. The bomber also provided a show of presence over Gereshk.

In Gereshk, A-10s fired cannon rounds on enemies that had had ground forces pinned down in a area compound. The strafing passes were successful.

A French Mirage 2000 provided a successful show of force with flares over Gereshk as well.

An F-15E hit enemy positions in Bermel with GBU-38s and GBU-31s.  An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the fighter struck the intended target.

In total, 37 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twelve 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 provided a successful show of force over an area in Basrah. The pilots also watched over a convoy moving in the area.

Other F-16s destroyed a weapons cache and exposed mortars in Baquba with GBU-38s. There were secondary explosions after the weapons impacted their targets. Other F-16s monitored insurgent teams, vehicles and houses in the area.

An F-16 provided a show of force to support a quick response force moving to help the Iraqi Army forces who had taken small-arms fire near Balad. They provided armed over watch for the Iraqis until help arrived.

Another F-16 provided a show of force for coalition members taking fire in Bayji. Later in Tikrit, an F-16 destroyed a building with a GBU-38 that was housing IED emplacers. The pilots monitored the insurgents as they ran IED wiring into the house before the strike.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 51 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.

Fourteen Air Force, Navy and RAF 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. 

Some 131 airlift sorties were flown, 348 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,331 passengers were transported.

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

On Aug. 2, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2 million pounds of fuel to 180 receiving aircraft.