Airpower: C-130s fleet workhorse

US Air Force,

SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Dec. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force Harrier GR-9 targeted an enemy position with an enhanced Paveway II munitions in Musa Qal'eh. Coalition forces were engaging enemy combatants in hostile action. The joint terminal attack controller declared the strike successful as the enemy fire ceased.

A French Mirage 2000 and a Mirage F1-CR conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities in Musa Qal'eh.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force to suppress enemy fire southeast of Bagram. Friendly forces were in hostile action against enemy combatants in the area. The JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.

A show of force was conducted by an Air Force B1-B Lancer to deter enemy fire southwest of Kandahar. In addition, the aircrew performed other shows of force in Sangin. Coalition troops were engaged in hostile action against enemy combatants in the area. Both missions achieved the desired effect.

In Jalalabad, suspicious activities were deterred during a show of force with flares conducted by a B1-B. The mission was reported as successful.

F-15E deterred enemy activities during a show of force with flares conducted west of Kandahar. The JTAC assessed the mission as a success.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II effectively performed a show of force with flares to deter enemy activities north of Bari Kowt.

A RAF GR-9 showed continued presence over Coalition positions during a show of force demonstration in Musa Qal'eh. The JTAC declared the mission as a success.

An Air Force F-15E performed a show of force with flares to deter enemy activities in Sangin. The mission was reported as successful.

In total, 40 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine Air Force and Royal Air Force Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a guided bomb unit-31 against an Al Qaeda crossing site located in Baghdad. The JTAC confirmed the mission was a success as the target was destroyed.

An F-16 performed a show of force to deter further enemy action against coalition troops in Yusufiyah. The mission was deemed as successful by the JTAC.

A house bourne improvised explosive device was targeted by an F-16 using GBU-38s in Baqubah. The bomb impacted on the intended target. The strike was confirmed by the JTAC.

GBU-38s were dropped from F-16s to destroy an HBIED in Baghdad. The bombs impacted on the target directly and the HBIED was destroyed.

Suspicious activities were deterred by an F-16 during a show of force demonstration in Bayji. The mission was assessed as successful.

A RAF Tornado GR-4 performed a show of force with flares to deter further enemy activities in Basrah. The mission was successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 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-four Air Force and Navy Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force 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 139 airlift sorties were flown, 521 tons of cargos were delivered and 2,392 passengers were transported. This included approximately 73,500 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 03, Air Force, French, and RAF aerial refueling crews flew 39 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 203 receiving aircraft.