Feb. 9 airpower: F-16 strike takes out terrorists

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 9.

In Afghanistan Feb. 8, an Air Force B-1 Lancer, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and French air force M-2000 Mirages provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving enemy forces small arms fire near Musa Qal'eh. The B-1 successfully expended GBU-38 and GBU-31 bombs on enemy firing positions ending the engagement.

Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces establishing a fortified compound with an unauthorized checkpoint near Shurakian. The F/A-18s successfully expended cannon rounds on the fortified compound with results of maintaining an open road.

Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Shurakian.

In total, 35 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, six Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces during a raid targeting al-Qaeda terrorists and foreign fighter facilitators near Baqubah. As the raid progressed, ground forces began receiving enemy fire from several directions, and called in for air support. Eight terrorists barricaded themselves inside one of the buildings and continued to fire at the ground forces. F-16s expended GBU-12s and a GBU-38 on the building, resulting in its destruction and the deaths of the eight terrorists according to Multinational Forces Iraq officials.

No coalition forces or innocent Iraqis were injured during the air strike.

Air Force F-16s and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baqubah. The F-16s provided a successful show of force disrupting numerous people from placing an improvised explosive device. Individuals appeared to flee the scene.

Air Force F-16s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Balad and Samarra.

RAF GR-4 Tornadoes provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Additionally, 17 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 125 airlift sorties were flown; more than 400 tons of cargo was delivered, and approximately 2,120 passengers were transported. This included about 2,310 pounds of troop supplies airdropped in eastern Afghanistan.

The two airdropped pallets consisted of cannon and small arm rounds to re-supply coalition forces to allow them to continue the Operation Enduring Freedom mission.

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

On Feb. 7, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 29 sorties and off-loaded almost 2 million pounds of fuel.