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Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Airpower: C-130s provide key airlift support

Also in Garmsir, F-15Es hit an enemy firing position in a treeline with GBU-38s. The weapon drop had good effects.

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An Air Force C-130 taxies to a stop at a base in Southwest Asia after an airlift mission in the area of responsibility. Coalition C-130s and C-17s flew 153 airlift sorties recently and offloaded 717 tons of cargo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Ken Stephens)

A French Mirage 2000 and a Mirage F-1 monitored suspicious activities and vehicles in Garmsir.

An F-15E dropped a GBU-31 on a cave entrance in Asmar after enemy forces retreated into it. The weapon impacted its intended target.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier provided a successful show of force for coalition forces in Gereshk. Another GR-7 monitored enemy force massing around compound in the area.

A-10s provided shows of force with multiple flares over Moqor to create a deception for ground forces moving in the area. The desired effect was achieved.

Another A-10 conducted a successful show of force with flares over Tarin Kowt to stop enemy attacks on friendly forces.

In Kandahar, F-15Es searched areas for enemy activities and suspicious behavior.

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

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

In Iraq, A-10s monitored suspicious vehicles and mortar locations in Salman Pak.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-38s and GBU-31s on locations containing improvised explosive devices around Baghdad. Secondary explosions were seen after the bombs impacted the targeted IEDs. After dropping the bombs, the B-1 crew conducted a show of force over the area and watched over a convoy.

Also in Salman Pak, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-12s on IED emplacers hiding in a ditch. An Army AH-64 Apache destroyed an insurgents' vehicle with a Hellfire missile as well. The pilots also watched for IEDs and suspicious activities in the area.

A Navy F/A-18 Hornet provided overwatch for coalition raids and convoys in Baghdad.

Also in Baghdad, F-16s dropped GBU-38s on a building being used by the enemy. The building was destroyed. Other F-16s monitored suspicious activity and vehicle movement and provided armed overwatch for ground forces around Baghdad.

An F-16 also provided a show of force to allow troops to exit an area in Baghdad. The show of force was successful and no shots were fired as they exited. The pilots also monitored a vehicle involved in an alleged kidnapping in Samarra.

A-10s also looked for the vehicles involved in the alleged kidnapping in Samarra.

An F-16 conducted a show of force over a building in Bayji. The building was thought to be the source of a rocket-propelled grenade and mortar attack earlier. The pilots also watched over a medical evacuation in the area.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 68 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-two Air Force, RAFand Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 111 airlift sorties were flown, more than 715 tons of cargo were delivered, and 2,796 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Iraq flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On July 13, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 245 receiving aircraft.

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