Airpower: Arial refuelers, force multipliers

US Air Force,

SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an MQ-1B Predator engaged enemy combatants in Lashkar Gah by firing an AGM-114 Hellfire missile. Coalition forces requested a strike on a particular target in the area. The mission was declared a success by the on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

An F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy personnel in Now Zad by dropping a guided bomb unit-38. The F-15s also fired cannon rounds against the targets. The mission was deemed successful.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted shows of force over coalition positions southwest of Orgune. The JTAC reported the missions a success.

An A-10 performed a show of force over a coalition convoy moving through Now Zad. The JTAC declared the mission successful.

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

Seven Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, multiple coalition aircraft engaged enemy combatants in Baqubah, Samarra and Balad. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped GBUs on an al-Qaida structure in Baqubah. F/A-18Es dropped GBU-38s and a GBU-12 on a road to deny access to enemy forces in Balad. In Samarra, F-16s dropped a GBU-38 and a GBU-12 on an enemy structure. The JTAC declared the missions successful.

In Baghdad, Navy F/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets dropped GBU-38s to detonate enemy Improvised Explosive Devices in multiple locations. The JTAC deemed the mission successful.

An enemy weapons facility near Iskandariyah was destroyed by GBU-31s dropped by an F-16. The JTAC reported the mission as a success.

An enemy structure in Iskandariyah was destroyed by GBU-38s dropped from an F/A-18C. The JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.

A B-1B Lancer destroyed an enemy modified bridge in Baqubah with GBU-38s. The JTAC reported the strike a success.

A RAF GR-4 Tornado performed a show of force in Baqubah to suppress a crowd from possible hostile intent. The show of force was successful.

Enemy combatants in Baqubah were engaged by an F/A-18C with a GBU-12. The JTAC declared the mission a success.

In Baqubah, shows of force were performed by an F/A-18F over an enemy compound. The mission was deemed successful.

To discourage enemy attacks in Tikrit, shows of force were performed by F-16s. The JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

In total,  coalition aircraft flew 62 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-one Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 131 airlift sorties were flown, 387 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,838 passengers were transported. This included approximately 94,590 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 8, Air Force, French, and RAF tanker crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.