US Air Force,
SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier dropped enhanced Paveway II munitions on an enemy compound in Garmsir. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller, who requested the drop, reported the weapon directly hit the target. The pilot performed a show of force over the area which caused the insurgents to give up their position. This enabled the JTAC to guide the Harrier to the target and hit it with ordnance.
Also in Garmsir, another Harrier dropped several munitions on an enemy bunker including a 540-pound bomb. The JTAC reported that the bunker was destroyed.
An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-38 on insurgents hiding in a tree line near Garmsir. The aircrew also strafed the tree line with cannon rounds. The JTAC reported the attacks were all successful.
A B-1B Lancer conducted a show of presence over a coalition route in Kajaki Dam.
F-15Es showed force with multiple flares to deter any enemy activity around a compound in Musa Qala. No enemy activity was reported after the show of force. The F-15E aircrews also monitored suspicious activity around a tree line in the area.
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Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 438th Air Expeditionary Group at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, taxi out for a mission to provide close-air support for coalition forces in the region. The A-10 has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Ken Hall)
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In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Eleven Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons monitored areas around Baghdad for possibly threats and suspicious activity. Another F-16 team watched over a police station struck by a mortar round.
Also in Baghdad, F-16s also watched over a quick-response force venturing out to help ground forces hit by an improvised explosive device.
Near Taji, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a GBU-12 on hostile IED emplacers. The weapon was reported to have impacted its target.
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet provided a show of force expelling multiple flares against insurgents who fired on helicopters in Al Basrah. The pilots also monitored a convoy struck by an IED. The convoy was not attacked while the Hornets were in the area.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 63 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, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force 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 717 tons of cargo was delivered, and some 2,719 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Japan and Korea flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On June 3, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 216 receiving aircraft.
