July 7 airpower summary: Compass Call directs electronic warfare

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided overwatch for friendly forces securing a compound in Sangin.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier also watched over coalition members and a convoy struck by an improvised explosive device in Sangin.

Also in Sangin, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles released a guided bomb unit -38 and a GBU-12 on an enemy compound. Both bombs hit their intended target.

F-15Es watched over coalition forces and looked for enemy activity in Gereshk.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer released GBU-31s on an insurgent compound and mortar position in Kajaki Dam. A joint terminal attack controller confirmed the weapons had direct hits. The B-1 also conducted shows of presence along the main highway in the area.

A-10s strafed an enemy compound at Kajaki Dam with multiple cannon rounds.
The JTAC confirmed a direct hit on the target.

Strike Eagles searched a ridgeline for enemies in Gardez.

In total, 45 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 released GBU-31s on a bunker in Mosul. There were secondary explosions after the bombs impacted their targets.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons also attacked the bunker with GBU-38s and GBU-12s.

Also in Mosul, an MQ-1 Predator destroyed a vehicle with a hellfire missile.

F-16s hit a weapons cache with GBU-38s and GBU-12s in Mosul. The weapons cache was housed in an area warehouse. A weapons team came on scene to finish demolishing what was left of the building. The pilots also watched a quick response team on a high speed pursuit.

A-10s released GBU-12s on an enemy complex and vehicles in Mosul. The A-10s re-attacked the areas not destroyed by the bombs with cannon rounds. The complex was thought to be a weapons cache.

Other F-16s hit a weapons cache with a GBU-38 in Salman Pak. The pilots also watched over coalition forces around a building that had exploded.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets also watched over areas around Salman Pak.

F-16s conducted successful shows of force in Samarra. Other F-16s searched for enemy activity, provided convoy support and watched over friendly forces near an IED explosion in the area.

F/A-18s dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on insurgents in Baghdad. The JTAC reported the weapons had good hits.

Other F/A-18s provided shows of force over Baghdad, Balad and Baquba as well as overwatch for coalition forces. Another F/A-18 dropped a leaflet bomb over a factory in Basrah.

F-16s conducted a show of force over Al Muqdadiyah and reported IED emplacers in the area.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 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 intratheater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew approximately 150 airlift sorties, transported 2,625 passengers, and delivered more than 600 tons of cargo that included approximately 12,110 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On July 6, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore aerial refueling crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 239 receiving aircraft.