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May 16 airpower summary: A-10s strike enemy

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier dropped Enhanced Paveway II munitions onto enemy locations in the vicinity of Farah. The GR-9 conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the area. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the missions successful.

An RAF GR-7 Harrier dropped a 540-pound bomb onto an enemy position in the vicinity of Farah. The mission was reported as successful by a JTAC.

In Bagram, an F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in the area. A JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.

A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds, dropped guided bomb unit-12s and general-purpose 500-pound bombs onto enemy combatants in the vicinity of Orgune. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

In Orgune and Bagram, shows of force were conducted by A-10s to deter enemy activities in the area. A JTAC confirmed the missions as successful.

In total, 53 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twelve Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an F-16 Fighting Falcon performed a show of force to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in the vicinity of Baghdad. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 22 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-one Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 95 airlift sorties were flown, 447 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,196 passengers were transported. This included approximately 12,500 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Japan flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On May 15, Air Force, French, RAF and Singaporean tanker crews flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 262 receiving aircraft.