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Airpower Summary for December 17

  • 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 Dec. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles targeted an enemy vehicle with Guided Bomb Unit-12s in Musa Qala. An Air Force MQ-1B Predator also engaged enemy combatants with a hellfire missile during the engagement. The missions were reported successful by the Joint Terminal Attack Controller.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted a strike against enemy combatants and an improvised explosive device with cannon rounds and GBU-38s in Tarin Kowt. The JTAC confirmed the strike successful.

In Deh Rawod, F-15Es engaged an enemy compound and enemy combatants with a GBU-31 and GBU-38s. During the same mission, A-10s used cannon rounds and a GBU-38 against the enemy. The mission was reported as a success.

Enemy combatants and their vehicle were engaged by A-10s with cannon rounds in Kandahar. The vehicle and munitions in the vehicle were destroyed. The enemy combatants placed an IED in the area, which was subsequently destroyed by an A-10 with a GBU-38. The mission was reported successful by the JTAC.

French Mirage 2000s engaged enemy combatants with GBU-12s in Orgune. During the same engagement, a Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7 dropped a general purpose 540-pound bomb. The mission was reported as successful.

Enemy combatants in the same area were targeted by an MQ-1B with a hellfire missile. The JTAC reported the mission successful.

A show of force was performed by a GR-7 to deter enemy activities in Kandahar. The mission was assessed as successful.

In total, 39 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed a weapons cache with GBU-38s in Iskandariyah. The JTAC reported the mission a success.

A show of force was conducted by an F-16 to deter enemy activities in Baqubah. The show of force was assessed as successful.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 52 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-seven Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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

Approximately 139 airlift sorties were flown; 412 tons of cargos were delivered, and 3,835 passengers were transported. This included approximately 46,500 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 16, U.S. Air Force, French, and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 240 receiving aircraft.