June 28 airpower summary: C-17s sustain operations

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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 June 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s on a cave and weapons cache near Qalat. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the weapons impacted their targets.

Air Force F-15Es dropped GBU-38s on other insurgent firing positions. In addition, a French Mirage 2000 conducted a show of force and released flares supporting friendly forces in Qalat.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s buildings in an insurgent compound in Sangin. The JTAC reported the compound was neutralized.

F-15Es strafed an enemy firing position with cannon rounds as warning shots. An insurgent fled the position and the aircrews tracked his movement and passed it along to the ground commander. The F-15Es also conducted shows of force in the area to deter any further enemy activity in the Sangin area.

A B-1B destroyed enemy compounds with multiple GBU-38s in Kajaki Dam. The B-1B also conducted shows of presence over an area highway.

In total, 38 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, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon provided a show of force over enemies hiding in a palm grove in Al Muqdadiyah.

Other F-16s destroyed a building being used by insurgents with GBU-12 in Taji. The pilots also watched over a raid in Al Muqdadiyah and looked for suspicious activity on rooftops in Baghdad.

In Baghdad, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided a show of force with flares and provided overwatch to coalition forces.

F-16s also showed force over Baghdad in support of ground forces in the area. Other F-16s monitored improvised explosive device emplacers and watched suspicious activities around a burning vehicle.

In Basrah, a B-1B conducted shows of force and launched flares supporting a medical evacuation team to deter any other enemy activities in the area.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 65 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch 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 150 airlift sorties were flown, more than 610 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,155 passengers were transported.

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

On June 27, Air Force, RAF, French and Singapore tankers flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 234 receiving aircraft.