July 15 airpower summary: Transports aid in med evac

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

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force with multiple flares over Oruzgan to reassure locals there was a coalition presence in the area. The pilots also monitored suspicious activity around a compound.

Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers searched compounds and monitored suspicious vehicles in Now Zad.

A-10s provided a successful show of force, releasing flares to prevent enemy attacks on a convoy near Bagram.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles monitored people moving near a treeline and watched a building in Garmsir formerly used as a Taliban headquarters.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer performed a show of force with flares over a district center in Ghazni. The show of force was requested because rocket fire was spotted in the area. The bomber also conducted shows of presence along various coalition routes.

In Bala Morghab, F-15Es provided a successful show of force to reassure friendly forces moving in the area.

In total, 43 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, a B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s and GBU-31s on bridges around Iskandariyah. The weapons destroyed the bridges. The aircrew also provided a show of presence with flares to ward off any attacks in the area.

A-10s provided cover for a helicopter medical evacuation and overwatch for a convoy in Al Muqdadiyah.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons watched over friendly forces and monitored a suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device factory in Baquba.

Another F-16 dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on enemies along a shoreline in Baquba. The pilots also used cannon fire to disable a boat carrying a weapons cache. The strikes resulted in the destruction of two mortar systems.

An RAF GR-4 Tornado provided a show of force as a warning to enemy personnel in the area around Baquba. The show of force was reported as successful by the on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

Also in Baquba, an A-10 conducted a show of force, dispensing flares to stop enemy fire in the area. The small-arms fire ceased after the show of force.

A Navy F/A-18 Hornet showed force with multiple flares over a firefight between ground forces and insurgents in Yusufiyah.

Another F/A-18 provided a show of force over an area in Al Kut known to contain IEDS before coalition convoy transitioned through.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 73 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, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force 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.

Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown, more than 860 tons of cargo were delivered, and 2,125 passengers were transported. The airlift included approximately 11,200 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 14, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 215 receiving aircraft.