June 15 airpower summary: Strike Eagles strike enemy positions

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations June 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force over a compound suspected to contain a high ranking Taliban leader in Qarah Bagh. The ground commander who ordered the show of force said the intent was met. The A-10 remained overhead while ground forces entered the compound.

A French Air Force Mirage 2000 conducted a successful show of force over Mowshkheyl.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet provided a show of force expelling multiple flares for a convoy in Dowlatabad. The joint terminal attack controller confirmed the show of force had good effects.

An F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a leaflet bomb over Garmsir. The pilots also monitored friendly forces after an improvised explosive device detonated in the area.

Royal Air Force GR-9A Harriers conducted shows of force expelling flares in Qalat to cover ground forces moving into a village. The village was being used as an enemy firing position. The pilots also conducted a show of force with flares in Sangin over a suspected IED explosion. There was no further enemy activity after the show of force.

A-10s conducted shows of force to deter enemy activity around ground forces in Tarin Kowt. The A-10s also watched over other convoys in the area.

A B-1 conducted shows of presence along a highway in Garmsir. The shows of presence were reported as successful.

Also in Garmsir, an F-18 dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-38 on a suspected weapons cache. The weapon destroyed the target. The pilot also conducted a successful show of force to cause a response from enemy forces in a village in Tarin Kowt.

F-15Es dropped multiple GBU-38s on enemy firing positions in Oruzgan. The weapons impacted their targets with desired effects. The aircrews strafed the firing positions with cannon rounds as well.

Also in Oruzgan, A-10s made multiple strafing passes with cannon rounds. The weapons were confirmed to have good effects.

In total, 50 close-air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten U.S. 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, a B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-31s and GBU-38s on enemy targets in areas around Baghdad. The weapons were all successfully directed to their targets.

Also in Baghdad, A-10s provided overwatch for a medical evacuation after an IED explosion. The A-10s also looked for IED emplacers and suspicious activities in the area.

F-16C Fighting Falcons watched over friendly forces who'd been injured entered a building in Baghdad.

F-18s conducted shows of force over Zubayr to disperse a crowd that had gathered around a mosque that had been attacked. The crowds began to leave the area after the show of force.

F-16s watched over ground forces raiding a house for suspicious personnel in Baquba. The pilots also looked for a suspect responsible for a vehicle-borne IED.

In Basrah, F-18s successfully showed force with multiple flares for a convoy that had taken small arms fire in the area. Other F-18s provided a show of force over a palace in the area.

Also in Basrah, a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado provided a show of force expelling multiple flares for ground forces in the area. The show of force was called successful by the JTAC.

F-16s provided shows of force to deter small arms fire on ground forces and protect a disabled vehicle in Basrah.

In Taji, F-16s watched over a convoy hit by a rocket propelled grenade.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 59 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.

C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 160 airlift sorties were flown; more than 635 tons of cargo was delivered, and approximately 2,350 passengers were transported.

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

On June 14, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, French Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 243 receiving aircraft.