US Air Force,
SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II provided a show of force with flares. A-10s also provided overwatch for a helicopter on a resupply mission in the area.
A-10s dropped guided bomb unit-12s on insurgents hiding in a cave near Khas Kunar. Coalition forces had received sniper fire from the location earlier. The bombs impacted their target and the sniper fire stopped.
An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force over Ghowrmach to reassure coalition forces in the area. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the shows of force served their purpose. The F-15Es also watched over a convoy in the area.
In Sangin, F-15Es watched for suspicious activity around area compounds.
Other F-15Es watched over a convoy hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and an improvised explosive device in Tarin Kowt. Then, the aircrews performed a show of force over the convoy as it approached its forward operating base.
In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Eleven Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon provided a show of force, launching flares over insurgents hiding in a building near Diwaniyah. The pilots also overwatched a coalition convoy exiting the area.
Near Balad, a RAF GR-4 Tornado looked for IEDs and watched over ground forces.
In Samarra, an F-16 conducted a show of force to disperse enemy forces in the area. The on-scene JTAC said the show of force worked in disrupting enemy activities.
Other F-16s watched over coalition convoys in Baquba and Bayji.
A-10s watched over a quick response force team in Baghdad.
Also in Baghdad, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets performed counter IED measures and looked for suspicious activity.
F-16s searched Salman Pak for suspicious activity and IED emplacers. There were no reports of attack or explosions while the F-16s were in the area.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 60 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.
Sixteen Air Force and Navy 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 123 airlift sorties were flown; more than 560 tons of cargo were delivered, and some 2,590 passengers were transported. This included approximately 37,094 pounds of troop resupply air-dropped in Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Iraq flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On June 2, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 245 receiving aircraft.
