July 31 airpower summary: F-16s provide effective overwatch

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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 July 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s and fired cannon rounds at a group of insurgents in Muqur. The pilots achieved their objective.

In the ongoing attack in Muqur, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator fired a Hellfire missile at enemies and observed the strikes by the A-10s.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed a mortar position and hit enemies on along a ridgeline in Now Zad with GBU-31s. The strikes were reported as successful.

Also in Now Zad, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle provided a show of force with flares over an enemy mortar position for friendly forces in the area.

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

Eleven 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 destroyed a bridge and a road with multiple GBU-38s and GBU-31s in Baqubah.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on a downed MQ-1 near Balad. The pilots destroyed it so that nothing of value from it could be used by the enemy. The pilots also monitored suspicious individuals in the area.

Other F-16s conducted a show of force over enemies firing at coalition forces in Baghdad. The enemy fire stopped after the show of force.

Also in Baghdad, A-10s destroyed a weapons cache with GBU-12s. Secondary explosions were seen after the weapons impacted their target. F-16s also participated in the strike against the weapons cache with GBU-38s and GBU-12s.

F-16s watched a mosque possibly being used as a weapons cache and observed the area where an Army AH-64 Apache had come under attack and landed east of the New Baghdad District. The pilots also provided escort to a convoy that had been struck by an improvised explosive device in Bayji.

Also in Baghdad, another group of F-16s watched over a security team securing the site of the Apache crash. The F-16s also watched over a raid in the area and a convoy stopped by an IED in Basrah.

A RAF GR-4 Tornado provided a successful show of force with flares to deter enemy activity over an area in Al Muqdadiyah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 49 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Sixteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four 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 154 airlift sorties were flown, 848 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,831 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 12,000 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 July 30, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 211 receiving aircraft.