Airpower Summary for January 9

Photo By Joshua Garcia | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bersaglia, a crew chief with the 332nd Aircraft...... read more read more

Photo By Joshua Garcia | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bersaglia, a crew chief with the 332nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, releases a fuel line from an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft at Balad Air Base. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter and flies missions as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia)  see less | View Image Page

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

01.10.2008

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central           

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U.S. Central Command Air Forces

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Jan. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator engaged enemy combatants by firing a hellfire missile in Lashkar Gah. Coalition forces requested a strike on a particular target in the area. The mission was declared a success by the joint terminal attack controller.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy personnel by dropping a Guided Bomb Unit-38 in Now Zad. The F-15s also fired cannon rounds against the targets. The mission was deemed successful.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted shows of force over coalition positions southwest of Orgune. The JTAC reported the missions a success.

An A-10 performed a show of force over a coalition convoy moving through Now Zad. The JTAC declared the mission successful.

In total, 35 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, multiple coalition aircraft engaged enemy combatants in Baqubah, Samarra, and Balad. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped GBUs on an al-Qaida structure in Baqubah. F/A-18Es dropped GBU-38s and a GBU-12 on a road to deny access to enemy forces in Balad. In Samarra, F-16s dropped a GBU-38 and a GBU-12 on an enemy structure. The JTAC declared the missions successful.

In Baghdad, Navy F/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets dropped GBU-38s to detonate enemy improvised explosive devices in multiple locations. The JTAC deemed the mission successful.

An enemy weapons facility was destroyed by GBU-31s dropped by an F-16 near Iskandariyah. The JTAC reported the mission as a success.

An enemy structure was destroyed by GBU-38s dropped from an F/A-18C in Iskandariyah. The JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed an enemy modified bridge with GBU-38s in Baqubah. The JTAC reported the strike a success.

A Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado performed a show of force to suppress a crowd from possible hostile intent in Baqubah. The show of force was successful.

Enemy combatants were engaged by an F/A-18C with a GBU-12 in Baqubah. The JTAC declared the mission a success.

In Baqubah, shows of force were performed by an F/A-18F over an enemy compound. The mission was deemed successful.

To discourage enemy attacks in Tikrit, shows of force were performed by F-16s. The JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 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-one Air Force and Navy Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy 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 131 airlift sorties were flown, 387 tons of cargos were delivered, and 2,838 passengers were transported. This included approximately 94,590 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 8, U.S. Air Force, French, and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.