Airpower Summary for November 7

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Nov. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, he MQ-9A Reaper demonstrated it's unique precision strike capability as a hunter-killer attack platform by dropping its first precision-guided bomb.

The Reaper, the Air Force's unmanned aerial attack vehicle, was operating over the Sangin region of Afghanistan on the hunt for enemy activity when the crew received a request for assistance from a joint terminal attack controller on the ground. Friendly forces were taking fire from enemy combatants. The JTAC provided targeting data to the pilot and sensor operator, who fly the aircraft remotely from Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The pilot released two GBU-12 500-pound laser-guided bombs, destroying the target and eliminating the enemy fighters.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, an Air Force B1-B Lancer used Guided Bomb Unit-31s against enemy positions in Bari Kowt and Asadabad. The JTAC reported the missions were successful.

During two separate missions, a French Mirage 2000 aided by a French F-1 CR dropped GBU-12s against enemy positions in Kajaki Dam and Tarin Kowt. The missions were declared as successful.

An enemy compound in Tarin Kowt was targeted by a Mirage 2000 and an F-1 CR with GBU-12s and cannon rounds. Enemy combatants in the compound were engaging Coalition forces in the area. The mission was assessed as successful by the JTAC.

A Royal Air Force Harrier GR-9 used rockets to target enemy positions in Sangin. Enemy combatants at the positions were firing upon Coalition forces. The JTAC deemed the mission successful due to enemy fire had ceased.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets targeted enemy combatants in a compound with GBU-12s in Tarin Kowt. The enemy combatants took positions in the compound. The strike was confirmed as successful.

Enemy activities in Sangin were disrupted when an F/A-18C conducted a show of force with flares. The demonstration was assessed as successful by the JTAC.

In total, 38 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force and Royal Air Force Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator used a hellfire missile against enemy combatants firing mortars against a Coalition position in Balad. The JTAC confirmed the strike was successful.

During the same mission, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon performed a show of force with flares to deter further enemy activities in Balad. The mission was declared as successful.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 45 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-two Air Force and Navy 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 147 airlift sorties were flown; 480 tons of cargos were delivered, and 4,115 passengers were transported. This included approximately 54,480 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.


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

On Nov. 6, U.S. Air Force, French, and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 262 receiving aircraft.

Correction for Airpower Summary for November 6 (Released November 7):
Paragraph number 22 should read, "Approximately 128 airlift sorties were flown; 490 tons of cargos were delivered, and 3,485 passengers were transported."