June 7 airpower summary: Airlifters move cargo, troops

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted a show of force launching multiple flares to deter insurgent activity around coalition forces moving through Qal'eh-Ye Gaz. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller, or JTAC, called the show-of-force pass effective. The aircrews also escorted a large convoy in the area.

Other F-15Es completed a strafing pass with cannon rounds on a field across from coalition forces in Kandahar. The pass was performed as a warning measure after ground forces had taken rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire earlier. There were no reported attacks after the warning shots by the F-15Es.

Also in Kandahar, F-15Es conducted a convoy escort.

In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Six Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an RAF GR-4 Tornado looked for suspicious activity over Baghdad.

In Bayji, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided shows of force, firing flares to break up a disturbance in the area. The shows of force were ruled a success as the crowd vacated the area afterward.

F-16s also conducted shows of force around an area after coalition forces spotted a vehicle-borne IED in Muqdadiyah. The pilots followed the suspected emplacer's vehicle and provided another show of force over the location where the vehicle stopped. The F-16s watched over the area as helicopters executed an attack. 

Navy F/A-18 Hornets looked for suspicious activity around Karbala.

In Balad, F-16s looked for attackers after a convoy was hit by an IED and small-arms fire. The pilots also watched over an Iraqi police raid. There was potential for an ambush but there were no attacks while the F-16s were overhead.

An F-16 conducted overwatch for ground forces moving toward a tank struck by an IED in Salman Pak.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 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.

Seventeen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, seven Air Force, Navy and RAF 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 132 airlift sorties were flown, more than 790 tons of cargo were delivered and approximately 2,240 passengers were transported. This included approximately 22,300 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On June 6, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 237 receiving aircraft.