July 11 airpower summary: Predator strikes insurgents

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs hit a compound and insurgents in Tarin Kowt with a general-purpose 500-pound bomb and a guided bomb unit-38. The weapons impacted their targets. The pilots also fired cannon rounds at enemies in a truck and performed multiple shows of force over the area.

Another A-10 used flares to show air presence over Garmsir.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle provided a show of force with multiple flares to deter enemy activity after a convoy was struck by a mine in Gereshk. There were no attacks reported after the show of force.

A-10s showed force with multiple flares to stop a suspected ambush on coalition forces in Uruzgan. There were no attacks after the show of force.

In total, 31 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 Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator hit insurgents in Ad Diwaniyah with a Hellfire missile. The missile hit its intended targets. The attack came after the insurgents were spotted planting improvised explosive devices. 

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons monitored IED activity in Salman Pak.

A RAF GR-4 Tornado conducted a show of force over an IED detonation site in Baquba. The show of force was called successful by the joint terminal attack controller. 

F-16s fired cannon rounds at insurgents in a palm grove in Baquba. F-16s also monitored sniper and mortar activity in the area.

Other F-16s provided over-watch for coalition forces who were raiding a building in Bayji.

Another GR-4 showed force with flares over Baghdad after an Army AH-64 Apache destroyed a truck carrying a mortar team. The show of force was to dissipate the crowd that had gathered after the explosion.

Also in Baghdad, an F-16 provided a show of force over a forward-operating base after it had been attacked. Other F-16s looked for mortar teams in the area.

In Najaf, A-10s conducted shows of force, firing multiple flares over a hostile crowd near an area mosque.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 50 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 170 airlift sorties were flown, more than 455 tons of cargo were delivered, and 2,310 passengers were transported. The airlift included approximately 13,022 pounds of troop supplies 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 10, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.4 million pounds of fuel to 213 receiving aircraft.