US Air Force,
SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers engaged enemy combatants in Kandahar with enhanced Paveway II munitions, a general purpose 540-pound bomb and rockets. Enemy combatants were engaging friendly forces in the area.
During the same mission, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy combatants and an enemy structure with guided bomb unit-38s. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the mission was successful.
In the same area, F-15Es performed shows of force with flares to deter enemy activities. The missions were assessed as successful.
An Air Force B-1B Lancer targeted an enemy fighting position in Nangalam with GBU-38s. Friendly forces were receiving small-arms fire from the enemy position. The JTAC confirmed the mission was successful.
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities in Sangin. The missions were reported a success.
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An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Balad Air Base, Iraq, for a combat mission. F-16s fly missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Beth Holliker)
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Enemy combatants in Nangalam were targeted by a B-1B with a GBU-31. The enemy combatants were engaging friendly forces with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. The strike was reported successful by the JTAC.
An F-15E performed a show of force with flares in Orgune. The JTAC reported the mission as a success.
Shows of force with flares were performed by F-15Es to deter enemy actions in Musa Qala. The shows of force were assessed as successful.
In total, 41 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Nine Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons performed shows of force with flares in Baqubah. The mission was reported as a success by the JTAC.
An Air Force MQ-1B Predator engaged enemy combatantsin Baqubah and their vehicle. The enemy combatants were observed emplacing an improvised explosive device. The mission was reported as a success.
Several weapons caches in Iskandariyah were destroyed with GBU-38s dropped by F-16s. The mission was reported as successful by the JTAC.
A RAF GR-4 Tornado performed a show of force in Basrah. In the same area, a GR-7 performed a show of force. Both missions were conducted to deter enemy activities. The missions were reported successful.
An F-16 performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Balad. The mission was assessed as a success.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 61 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.
Twenty-eight Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Navy 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.
Some 147 airlift sorties were flown, 560 tons of cargo were delivered and 3,657 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 57,000 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. 15, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 39 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 241 receiving aircraft.
