April 17 airpower summary: Maintainers work wonders

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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 April 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s on an enemy firing position behind a wall near Kajaki Dam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported a direct hit and small arms fire ceased.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets provided a show of force for a coalition convoy near Kabul. A JTAC confirmed the show of force provided good effects.

The F/A-18s also provided reconnaissance for suspicious activity along the convoy's route and reported a possible hot spot to the JTAC. The convoy redirected their route to avoid the hotspot area.

Other F/A-18s provided a show of force over a coalition forces' position near Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed the shows of force provided good effects. The pilots also provided overhead cover for a nearby coalition convoy.

In total, 44 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, four U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, B-1B Lancers provided shows of force for coalition forces near Ad Diwaniyah. A JTAC confirmed the shows of force were successful. One of the pilots also investigated nearby coalition convoy routes to allow for a safe passage.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted overwatch of a coalition raid on a complex near Samarra. The pilots later provided reconnaissance for IED and mortar activity in the area.

Other F-16s provided anti-IED reconnaissance near Mosul. The pilots reported a suspicious sighting to a JTAC to relay to the ground commander for action. 

RAF GR-4 Tornados provided reconnaissance for suspicious activity near Baghdad. The pilots reported individuals running to and from a building to a wooded area. The pilots also searched nearby rooftops and the area around a destroyed armored vehicle. The details were passed to a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overmatch of reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Sixteen Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two 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. More than 130 airlift sorties were flown; more than 635 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,640 passengers were transported.

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

On April 16, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 47 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.9 million pounds of fuel.