May 12 airpower summary: C-130s continue support

Published May 13, 2008

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and dropped a general purpose 500-pound bomb onto enemy combatants in the vicinity of Garmsir. Furthermore, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto enemy combatants in the same area. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the missions successful.

A-10s dropped a general purpose 500-pound bomb, a GBU-12, and fired cannon rounds onto enemy positions in Lwara. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a GBU-38 and GBU-31s onto enemy fighting positions in Asadabad. A JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.

F-15Es conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities in Kabul, Gardez and Lwara. The missions were declared successful by a JTAC.

A French Air Force Mirage-2000 performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in Now Zad. A JTAC reported the missions a 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 and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s onto improvised explosive devices located in a palm grove in Baghdad. Also in Baghdad, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper fired a Hellfire missile onto enemy munitions. The missions were confirmed as successful by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 74 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-five Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, eight Air Force, Navy and RAF 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 158 airlift sorties were flown, 484 tons of cargo delivered, and 4,099 passengers were transported. This included approximately 45,600 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On May 11, Air Force, French, RAF, and Singaporean tanker crews flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 240 receiving aircraft.