July 20 airpower summary: F-16s quell insurgent activity

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and performed a show of force with flares while providing close-air support for coalition forces. 

An F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity in the area. A joint terminal attack controller reported the weapons use and flyover were successful and the enemy disengaged.

A Strike Eagle conducted a show of force with flares to discourage imminent attack of anti-coalition members in Gereshk. A JTAC reported the flyover as successful and achieved the desired results. A B-1B Lancer provided a show of presence in the area to support coalition forces.

An A-10 conducted shows of force with flares for a coalition convoy receiving small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade attacks near Tarin Kowt. A JTAC reported the flyovers were successful. The fighter remained overhead to provide close-air support for the coalition members.

Another A-10 performed a show of force with flares to deter enemy mortar attacks around Bermel. The pilot also reported finding two buses, believed to be associated with the missing South Korean missionaries, inside enemy compounds.

In total, 36 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Five Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon released a guided bomb unit-38 and GBU-12s on weapons cache buildings in Samarra. A JTAC reported the buildings were destroyed.

An F-16 dropped a GBU-38 on a building containing insurgents firing at coalition forces in Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed the building was destroyed and enemy fire had ceased.

Also in Baghdad, an aircraft carrier-based Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet conducted shows of force with flares for coalition forces taking enemy small-arms fire. A Fighting Falcon also performed a show of force with flares near the area. The flyovers were reported as successful.

A Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force with flares for coalition forces receiving small-arms fire after an improvised explosive device event in Baquba.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 72 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 deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and 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 136 airlift sorties were flown, 558 tons of cargo were delivered and 1,649 passengers were transported.

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

On July 18, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 248 receiving aircraft.