July 28 airpower summary: Tankers fuel coalition aircraft
A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado over Iraq using the multi-point refueling systems. With MPRS, Air Force tankers have the versatility to refuel Air Force, Navy and coalition aircraft all in the same mission. (U.S. Air Force file photo)
7/29/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
Near Surkhabad, coalition aircraft and Air Force B-1B Lancers provided armed overwatch for a patrol and convoy that were in the same area. Enemy forces posed an imminent threat when they started moving heavy weapons. The coalition aircraft responded by dropping precision-guided munitions on the enemy position. The B-1B dropped several GBU-31s when the friendly forces convoy came under small-arms fire from enemy forces. The friendly forces were able to safely evacuate under air cover.
Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers at Lashkar Gar
Friendly forces on patrol requested air support from an MQ-9A Reaper that was providing armed overwatch at Lashkar Gah. The patrol observed enemy troops massing in an open area and preparing to plant an improvised explosive device. This was confirmed by the Reaper operator and an imminent threat to friendly forces and the local civilian population was eliminated using a GBU-12 munition.
At Asadabad, friendly forces going through a checkpoint started receiving small-arms fire from enemy forces. Coalition aircraft providing armed overwatch were called in to stop the enemy fire. The coalition aircraft used several GBU-38s to stop the enemy small-arms fire.
West of Kandahar, a dismounted combat patrol of coalition forces took small-arms fire from anti-coalition forces in a tree line position. The coalition forces also experienced several IED detonations and requested support from Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets in the area. One of the Super Hornets released a GBU-38 on the enemy position and the attack stopped immediately.
In the vicinity of Sangin, a Reaper and B-1B aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces. These friendly forces started receiving small-arms fire from enemy forces. The aircraft employed GBU-12 and 38 munitions on the enemy position and stopped the attack.
Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
Twenty-three Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In total, 81 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 12 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.
Fifteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 40 airlift sorties were flown 1,233 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,180 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 89,500 pounds of aerial resupply cargo air-dropped over Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in the theater of operations.
On July 27, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported six patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard the helicopters located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The Pave Hawk aircrews transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.
Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 56 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 232 receiving aircraft.
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