July 28 airpower summary: F-16s fly close-air support

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower supported ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-2s on a cave entrance in Bari Kowt. Other A-10s provided shows of force with multiple flares for coalition forces to slow or stop further activity by the enemy. The ground forces were attacked after the shows of force.

Also in Bari Kowt, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped GBU-38s and fired cannon rounds at enemies on a ridgeline. These strikes also had good effects.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed a building with GBU-38s in Garmsir. Enemy personnel were firing rockets from the building before it was hit.

A-10s fired cannon rounds at an enemy mortar position in Uruzgan. The pilots also dropped general purpose 500 pound bombs and a GBU-12 on the mortar position and a machine gun position. The attacks were considered successful by the joint terminal attack controller.

An F-15E provided a successful show of force over an enemy compound to deter any attacks on ground forces in Gereshk.

Also in Gereshk, a B-1 provided shows of force over the coalition routes in the area.

Another B-1 hit enemy ambush positions with GBU-31s in Musa Qala. The firing ceased after the weapons impacted their targets.

In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine Air Force intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon released a GBU-12 on insurgents firing on coalition forces from inside a house in Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed the bomb destroyed the target.

Also in Baghdad, a Fighting Falcon conducted a show of force to support ground forces receiving enemy small arms fire. A JTAC reported the enemy fire had ceased after the flyover. Other F-16s in Bagdad conducted close-air support over an area where roadside IEDs exploded and conducted surveillance of a house suspected to contain explosives.

Other F-16s conducted shows of force and close-air support for convoys in Al Kut and Al Diwaniyah. Another F-16 performed a show of force over Al Hussaniayah to deter violence against Iraqi security forces. The fighter also provided armed overwatch for a coalition convoy near Karbala.

In Muqdadiyah, an A-10 performed a show of force with flares at the request of the ground forces commander after being attacked by small arms fire. The JTAC called the flyover effective.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 53 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, Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

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

Approximately 163 airlift sorties were flown. This included approximately 25,360 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 July 27, Air Force, RAF and French aerial refueling crews flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 200 receiving aircraft.