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Airpower Summary for February 13

  • Published
  • Combined Air and Space Operations Center
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-12 and fired cannon rounds onto a disabled Coalition Forces vehicle to keep the vehicle from falling into enemy hands. The A-10s also conducted shows of force to disperse crowds that were beginning to form near the disabled vehicle. The missions were declared successful by the Joint Terminal Attack Controller.

In Tarin Kowt, an A-10 fired cannon rounds onto an enemy vehicle containing enemy combatants. The JTAC reported the mission as successful.

In Sangin, A-10s dropped GBU-12s and fired cannon rounds successfully destroying an Improvised Explosive Device located under a bridge.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a GBU-31 onto an enemy mortar position in the vicinity of Jalalabad. The mission was confirmed a success by the JTAC.

Shows of force were conducted by Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles in the vicinity of Tagab, Orgune, and Bari Kowt in order to deter enemy activities against Coalition Forces in those areas. The JTAC declared the missions successful.

In total, 42 close air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force and Royal Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s onto a weapons cache in the vicinity of Baqubah. The mission was reported as successful by the JTAC.

A show of force was performed by an F-16 in Mosul in order to deter enemy activities on Coalition Forces responding to a situation in the area. The JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.

In Baghdad, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a GBU-38 onto a House Borne Improvised Explosive Device. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

A Royal Air Force Tornado GR.4 conducted a show of force over a Coalition Forces convoy in the vicinity of Basrah to deter enemy activities against the convoy. The JTAC reported the mission a success.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 66 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 and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Air Force, Navy, and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 135 airlift sorties were flown; 651 tons of cargo were delivered, and 2,542 passengers were transported. This included approximately 52,480 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Feb. 12, U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 234 receiving aircraft.