July 17 airpower summary: Maintainers 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 July 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s, 31s and 12s on enemy targets in Jalalabad. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the bombs impacted their targets.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force over Ghazni to reassure friendly forces and civilians an air presence was in the area.

Another A-10 strafed insurgents hiding in a tree line in Tarin Kowt. The cannon rounds hit their intended targets.

F-15Es provided successful shows of force to deter enemy activity in Now Zad and Garmsir.

In total, 38 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twelve 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, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided overwatch for a convoy in Samarra struck by an improvised explosive device hidden in a culvert.

An A-10 also watched out for the disabled convoy in Samarra and monitored coalition forces that were destroying a truck in Al Muqdadiyah.

An F-16 dropped a GBU-38 on a building in Khan Bani Sad being used by snipers. The building was destroyed by the weapon. The F-16 also provided cover for the medical evacuation involved with the IED explosion earlier in Samarra.

An RAF GR-4 Tornado provided a successful show of force with flares over a building in Baghdad containing insurgents. The pilot also provided overwatch for a helicopter that had taken small-arms fire in Yusufiyah.

Also in Baghdad, an F-16 conducted a show of force to stop insurgent attacks. The show of force was ruled successful as the attacks stopped and individuals left the area.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 43 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.

Seventeen Air Force, Navy, RAF and Royal Australian ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, seven Air Force, Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130s Hercules aircraft 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 123 airlift sorties were flown, 403 tons of cargo were delivered and 1,556 passengers were transported. The 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 16, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 252 receiving aircraft.