July 18 airpower summary: KC-135s refuel coalition aircraft

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force with multiple flares over Gereshk to break enemy contact so coalition forces could engage the enemy position. Both shows of force were reported as successful.

Also in Gereshk, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle provided a show of force in the area. The aircrews also monitored suspicious activity near a mosque in the area.

Other A-10s investigated a compound in Oruzgan where insurgents were thought to be making improvised explosive devices.

Other F-15Es dropped guided bomb unit-12s on enemy firing positions in Garmsir. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the bombs hit their targets.

An A-10 provided a show of force with flares to try and break enemy contact in Washir. Enemy contact ceased immediately after the show of force.

In total, 35 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons looked for suspicious vehicles and individuals around Yusufiyah. The pilots passed on information about a possible weapons cache being transported in the area.

Also in Yusufiyah, Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados hit a building with enhanced Paveway II munitions and strafed insurgents with cannon rounds. The insurgents were fired upon after fleeing the building hit by the munitions.

F-16s conducted shows of force over a vehicle destroyed by an IED and coalition forces in Baghdad.

A-10s searched for insurgent activity ahead of a coalition convoy moving through Baghdad.

Also in Baghdad, a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet conducted a show of force with multiple flares against enemies who were entering houses in a village. The insurgents got into vehicles and left the area after the show of force. The pilots followed the vehicles to a concealed compound and passed along the information.

An F-16 provided a show of force to stop enemy artillery fire along a canal bank in Salman Pak. The show of force was reported as successful. The pilots also monitored construction workers repairing an IED crater and looked for a possible vehicle-borne IED.

Other F-16s watched fleeing insurgents in Khan Bani Sad after they had engaged ground forces with small-arms fire. The pilots were able to pass along their locations to the JTAC on the ground.

F/A-18s conducted a show of force over an area in Al Muqdadiyah where tracer fire was spotted.

F-16s conducted shows of force over a building where insurgents and Iraqi police were engaged in An Nasiriyah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 69 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.

Fifteen Air Force and Navy 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, 419 tons of cargo were delivered, and 1,885 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 9,500 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 17, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 193 receiving aircraft.