April 29 airpower summary: Maintainers keep planes flying

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s on a building used by insurgents near Shindand. All weapons hit the desired target according to an on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

Also near Shindand, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fired cannon rounds and dropped a GBU-38 on an insurgent firing position in a compound. The weapons were reported to have achieved the desired effects.

Another F-15E dropped a GBU-38 on a building from which insurgents were firing mortars at coalition forces near Tarin Kowt. The aircrew struck the position after a show of force failed to cause the insurgents to cease fire. A JTAC confirmed the building was completely destroyed, and the engagement ended.

Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers fired rockets and dropped an enhanced Paveway II munition and a 540-pound, air-burst bomb on a building used by insurgents near Gereshk.  A JTAC confirmed the building was successfully hit.

A French M2000 Mirage and a Rafale dropped GBU-12s on insurgents on the slope of a hill near Oruzgan. A JTAC confirmed the weapons hit the desired target. The Mirage pilot then provided a show of force for a coalition forces convoy. A JTAC confirmed it was successful.

In total, 45 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator fired a Hellfire missile at insurgents who were placing improvised explosive devices near Baghdad. The missile was reported to have successfully hit the target.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted a counter-IED reconnaissance mission along multiple routes near Samarra. The pilots reported the location of two hotspots and a suspicious cut-out in the road. The pilots then provided reconnaissance nearby and reported suspicious personnel on the shoreline of the Euphrates River.

Other F-16s provided a show of force in support of a coalition ground commander's objective near Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed the show of force achieved the desired effect.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided shows of force, releasing multiple flares, for coalition forces receiving sporadic small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire near Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed good effects after the second show of force.

An RAF GR-4 Tornado conducted a show of force to disperse more than 100 people and vehicles near coalition forces in the proximity of Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed it was successful. The aircrew also conducted a counter-IED reconnaissance mission along a main route, looking for suspicious activity.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 47 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, watched over reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Seventeen Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force 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-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 285 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,820 passengers were transported. This included about 39,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq and South Korea flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On April 28, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.2 million pounds of fuel.