US Air Force,
SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s and fired cannon rounds at insurgents in a compound near Kajaki Dam. After the attacks, coalition forces cleared the compound.
Another A-10 strafed insurgents hiding in a tree line in Tarin Kowt. The cannon rounds hit their intended targets.
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided overwatch for a meeting of village elders in Shkin.
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A B-1B Lancer at a forward deployed location in Southwwest Asia prepares for a mission. Lancers support both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Clark Staehle)
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Other F-15Es provided a show of force to help ground forces exit an area in Sangin.
In Kandahar, F-15Es dropped GBU-12s on enemies hiding in a field. The insurgents fled to the field after firing rocket propelled grenades at friendly forces in the area.
In total, 37 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Twelve Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, a B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on a bunker in Mosul. All of the weapons released were reported as direct hits.
Also in Basrah, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided shows of force with flares for coalition forces taking fire and to disperse a crowd. The shows of force were considered successful.
Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons disabled a vehicle in Balad with GBU-12s. While another F-16 provided a show of force to reinforce air presence in the area.
A-10s stopped a truck in Balad with cannon rounds.
A B-1B dropped GBU-38s on a road containing improvised explosive devices in Baghdad. The bomber also conducted a show of force with multiple flares over Al Kut to scare away insurgents in that area.
Also in Baghdad, F-16s provided a successful show of force over insurgents moving in and around a mosque. The groups dispersed after the show of force. The F-16s also watched over an explosive ordnance disposal team working an IED event.
F-16s conducted successful shows of force for coalition forces taking heavy fire in Taji and a convoy operation in Al Muqdadiyah. Other F-16s observed a vehicle thought to be moving IED emplacers and looked for enemy mortar activity.
An F/A-18 Super Hornet provided a show of force with flares for coalition forces under fire in Bayji. The Super Hornets also watched over a convoy struck by an IED in the same area.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 66 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-two Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and RAF 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 167 airlift sorties were flown, 660 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,570 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq and Japan flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On July 15, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 239 receiving aircraft.
