July 12 airpower summary: C-130s provide vital airlift support

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

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

A B-1B Lancer monitored coalition routes throughout Afghanistan.

A French Mirage 2000 and a Mirage F-1 conducted successful shows of force in Tarin Kowt and Garmsir.

Also in Tarin Kowt, A-10Thunderbolt IIs disabled a vehicle with cannon fire followed by targeting insurgents with a GBU-12. One of the aircraft also performed a show of force over the area.

An F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force to identify enemies along a treeline in Gereshk.

Also in Gereshk, A-10s provided shows of force with multiple flares to stop enemy activities. The JTAC reported the desired effects were achieved.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier dropped enhanced Paveway II munitions and general-purpose 540 pound bombs on an enemy compound in Gereshk. The JTAC reported the target was destroyed by the weapons.

F-15Es dropped GBU-38s on an enemy firing position in a treeline in Gereshk. The bombs impacted their targets. Later, the aircrews destroyed an enemy compound with GBU-38s and GBU-12s.

In total, 40 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, a B-1B dropped GBU-31s and 38s on locations around Baghdad containing improvised explosive devices.  Secondary explosions were seen after the bombs impacted the targeted IEDs. After dropping the bombs, the B-1 crew conducted a show of force over the area and watched over a convoy.

Also in Baghdad, F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s on a weapons cache. There were secondary explosions after the impacts.

Other F-16s monitored suspicious activity and vehicle movement and watched over a clearing operation in Baghdad and destroyed a hideout and an anti-aircraft artillery site in Baghdad with GBU-12s.

F-16s conducted a show of force for friendly forces taking fire in a village near As Suwayrah. The JTAC reported that the area "got quiet" after the show of force.

In Al Muqdadiyah, an A-10 conducted a show of force for coalition troops taking sniper fire. The sniper fire stopped after the show of force. Afterward, the pilots dropped a GBU-12 on a building in Baquba containing a weapons cache. An Army AH-64 Apache damaged the building earlier with Hellfire missiles. The A-10s ensured it was completely destroyed.

Also in Baquba, an F-16 disabled a vehicle carrying an enemy mortar team with a GBU-38.

Other F-16s monitored IED emplacers and watched over a raid in Tikrit.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 49 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.

Sixteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, five Air Force and Navy fighter 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 142 airlift sorties were flown, 770 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,592 passengers were transported.

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

On July 11, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 227 receiving aircraft.