May 5 airpower summary: A-10s provide support for ground forces

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations May 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided overwatch for coalition forces conducting operations near Kajaki Dam.

Other F-15Es conducted road reconnaissance from Kabul to Kandahar.

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs escorted a four-vehicle convoy safely back to their compound near Gereshk.

In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, A-10s searched for suspicious activity near Baquba. The pilots relayed the coordinates of individuals digging to the ground commander through a Joint Terminal Attack Controller.

Also in Baquba, A-10s provided area reconnaissance for coalition forces in search of an improvised explosive device triggerman.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch for a coalition convoy.

Other F-16s watched over coalition forces tracking insurgents near Baghdad. No attacks were reported while F-16s were on the scene.

Near Al Iskandariyah, F-16s conducted overwatch for a coalition convoy that came under fire from insurgents. The pilots continued to watch over coalition forces as additional troops arrived and then escorted the reformed convoy to its forward operating base.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 47 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.

Nineteen U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 155 airlift sorties were flown; more than 645 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,290 passengers were transported.

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

On May 4, U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 43 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.4 million pounds of fuel to 200 receiving aircraft.