SOUTHWEST ASIA: Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, a B-1B Lancer used guided bomb unit-38s to target multiple buildings in a strike against an insurgent staging facility. The aircrew coordinated with friendly ground forces to positively identify the target and ensure it was clear of civilians prior to releasing weapons.
An Air Force MQ-1B Predator employed a Hellfire missile to strike an enemy firing position behind a roadside wall. The aircraft engaged after friendly forces were attacked by an improvised explosive device along the road and began taking fire from the position. The missile ended the enemy attack.
Near Asadabad, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped GBU-38s on an enemy cave after gunmen inside shot at coalition and Afghan troops. The cave was collapsed and the enemy fighting position destroyed along with it.
A Navy F/A-18C Hornet and an Air Force B-1B responded to an enemy rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms attack on friendly soldiers near Lashkar Gah. The aircraft destroyed enemy buildings containing improvised bunkers with GBU-38s after ground forces verified that no civilians were present in the target area.
In Asmar, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle employed GBU-38s and a GBU-31 to destroy a cave compound where enemy forces were barricaded. Gunmen in the cave were firing rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons at Afghan and coalition forces, prompting the bombing.
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets near Farah flew shows of force to stop an enemy attack on a dismounted friendly patrol. Afghan and coalition ground troops had been patrolling when one of their vehicles was hit by an IED and the unit began taking fire. The jets’ flyover caused enemy fire to cease.
Shortly afterward, the F/A-18Es responded to another enemy attack near Shindad, flying shows of force and providing overwatch after additional enemy gunmen opened fire. The maneuver, directly over an enemy firing position, caused an immediate halt to the RPG and automatic weapons fire taking place.
A coalition aircraft flew a show of force over Lashkar Gah during ground combat between Afghan government forces and an enemy unit. The show of force, emphasized by expending flares, caused enemy forces to abandon their fighting positions enabling moves against them by Afghan troops.
An A-10 flew a show of force and expended flares while escorting a friendly convoy through Jalalabad. The show of force prevented an enemy attack from occurring.
A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet performed a show of force over an enemy compound near Balocan to deter enemy fire against a dismounted Afghan security forces patrol. Anti-Afghan forces stopped firing after the aircraft passed overhead.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
In total, 70 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Twenty Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, three Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 16 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.
Twenty-one Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 140 airlift sorties were flown, 580 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,200 passengers were transported. This included about 220,200 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On June 26, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and “Guardian Angel” teams transported nine patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60G transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.
Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 183 receiving aircraft.
