May 1 airpower summary: F-16s destroy ground threats

Published May 5, 2008

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier fired rockets and dropped general-purpose 540-pound bombs onto enemy combatants and enemy combatant firing positions in Qalat. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission a success.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Bagram, Bermel, Bari Kowt, Nangalam and Lwara. The missions were reported as successful by a JTAC.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities against coalition forces in the vicinity of Bara Kowt. The JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.

In total, 46 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twelve Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto enemy buildings in the vicinity of Baghdad. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

In Baghdad, an F-16 conducted a show of force over a coalition forces convoy in order to deter enemy activities against the convoy. A JTAC reported the mission as a success.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 53 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-two Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance 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 153 airlift sorties were flown, 710 tons of cargo delivered and 4,717 passengers were transported. This included approximately 33,702 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On April 30, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 211 receiving aircraft.