July 9 airpower summary: Bombers provide show of force

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

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle released guided bomb unit-12s and cannon fire on a compound and tree line near Garmsir. The coalition ground commander requested the use of airpower through an on-scene joint terminal attack controller. The JTAC reported desired results were achieved.

An F-15E conducted a show of force over Qalat to deter enemy activity. A JTAC reported the flyover was successful.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer provided shows of presence with flares for a forward operating base and a coalition convoy near Orgun-E.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier conducted intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance of locations suspected of enemy activity in Gereshk.

In total, 43 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, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s on a bridge in Al Muqdadiyah being used by insurgents. Other F-16s provided a show of force with flares to make insurgents aware of air presence in the area. The pilots also watched over a possible improvised explosive device factory.

Also in Al Muqdadiyah, a B-1B dropped multiple GBU-38s and GBU-31s on footbridges being used by insurgents. The bridges were destroyed by the bombs.

An Air Force MQ-1B Predator hit an enemy target with a Hellfire missile in Al Amarah. 

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II used cannon rounds to destroyed a boat in Salman Pak. The boat was being used to transport weapons.

Other A-10s conducted two shows of force with multiple flares to gain control of an area where a vehicle had taken heavy fire from insurgents in Baghdad. The shows of force were reported as successful.

Also in Baghdad, F-16s provided multiple shows of force for a convoy and friendly forces who had taken fire. The F-16s also looked for IED and mortar positions in the area.

F-16s provided shows of force to deter enemy activities in Al Diwaniyah and Al Musayyib. The shows of force were to stop IED emplacers and insurgents from firing on a convoy. Both shows of force had good effects.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 52 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 154 airlift sorties were flown, more than 585 tons of cargo were delivered, and 2,410 passengers were transported. This included approximately 16,126 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On July 8, Air Force, RAF and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 198 receiving aircraft.