June 10 airpower summary: Tankers extend fighters' reach

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during the following operations June 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier dropped general purpose 500- and 540-pound bombs on buildings in Kajaki Dam. After the initial drop, coalition forces were still receiving fire from the buildings. There were no more reports of small-arms fire after the second drop.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-38 and GBU-31s on insurgents in Garmsir. The weapons impacted their targets. The bomber also provided shows of force expelling multiple flares in Kandahar. The aircrew then dropped GBU-38s on insurgents on a side of a hill in Qalat. They also dropped GBU-31s on more enemy targets in the area. All of the drops were reported as successful by the on-scene joint terminal attack controller. 

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed armed reconnaissance over areas in Tarin Kowt.

Other F-15Es dropped GBU-38s on a compound area in Kajaki Sofla. The bombs achieved their desired effects.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped GBU-12s on an enemy compound in Shkin. The A-10 used the bombs to successfully destroy the building, scoring hits on the sides and center of the compound.

In total, 40 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-1 dropped GBU-31s on bridges being used by insurgents to move improvised explosive devices. The bridges were destroyed by the weapons.

An Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon provided a show of force, launching flares to support ground forces taking fire in Baghdad. There were no reports of firing after the show of force.

Also in Baghdad, F-16s conducted shows of force, launching flares to break up a crowd surrounding a disabled vehicle.

Other F-16s provided overwatch during a raid of a factory and a suspicious house in Baghdad.

In Samarra, an A-10 provided a show of force, firing flares to aid a quick-response force moving toward a disabled vehicle hit by an IED. The quick-response force made it back to their forward operating base without another attack after the show of force.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets monitored suspicious activity and provided overwatch for ground forces in Al Iskandariyah. No attacks were reported while the F-18s were overhead.

F-16s conducted overwatch for ground forces that had received a mortar attack in Ad Diwaniyah.

An F-16 flew over a ridgeline in Baquba to disperse anyone hiding in the area. The JTAC reported the show of force as successful. Other F-16 pilots provided a convoy escort and passed along information on 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 137 airlift sorties were flown; more than 680 tons of cargo was delivered, and some 2,280 passengers were transported. This included approximately 56,382 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On June 9, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 224 receiving aircraft.