June 26 airpower summary: Fighters provide close-air 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 June 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles searched locations over Garmsir for any enemy activity. 

An  Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s on a Taliban weapons storage compound in Garmsir. The building was reported to be completely destroyed.

Other A-10s fired cannon rounds at enemy targets pinned down by coalition ground forces in Asadabad. The attacks were reported as successful.

A-10s conducted shows of force with multiple flares over Orgun-E to keep insurgents from setting up an observation point along a ridgeline. The shows of force were reported as successful by the joint terminal attack controller. The pilots also monitored Taliban movement in a nearby village.

JTACs are highly trained Air Force and coalition personnel who advise ground commanders on appropriate air power support, relay the ground commander's intent to air power assets overhead and communicate with aircrews for precision engagement.

In total, 30 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the 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 F-16 Fighting Falcon performed a show of force for ground forces receiving small-arms fire in Baquba. The on-scene JTAC reported the show of force as successful. 

In support of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, an F-16 provided a show of force to disrupt the enemy's sleep. The pilots also monitored suspicious vehicles in the area.

Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets showed force and provided overwatch over Baquba. The JTAC reported the show of force as successful. There were no reported attacks while the F/A-18s were in the area.

In Salman Pak, A-10s watched over a cordon and search area and monitored a riot that formed around a burning vehicle.

Also in Salman Pak, an RAF GR-4 Tornado provided a show of force, firing multiple flares for coalition forces engaged with insurgents. The show of force was to deter any more attacks and was reported as successful.

An F-16 provided a successful show of force, expelling flares over Salman Pak.

A GR-4 dropped enhanced Paveway II munitions on insurgents in a building in Salman Pak. The JTAC reported the building was destroyed.

F-16s made multiple strafing passes with cannon rounds against insurgents who had fled a vehicle and were hiding in a canal in Amiriyah. The attacks had good effects and the vehicle was destroyed.

F-16s provided shows of force over Baghdad supporting a convoy hit by an improvised explosive device and taking small-arms fire.

F/A-18s also provided shows of force firing multiple flares for ground forces in Baghdad. The shows of force were reported to have good effects.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted shows of force with flares to help a re-supply convoy exit an area in Basrah. There were no more attacks reported on the convoy after the shows of force.

An F-16 also provided a show of force for ground forces in Basrah. Contact was again stopped by the show of force.

In Ash Shargat, F-16s provided a show of force and overwatch on an area suspected to have been hit by a vehicle-born IED. The F-16s also monitored IED emplacers in the area.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 63 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 135 airlift sorties were flown; more than 500 tons of cargo were delivered, and nearly 1,570 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Korea flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. This included approximately 48,870 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

On June 25, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 251 receiving aircraft.