July 19 airpower summary: A-10s pack mighty punch

rock45

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July 19 airpower summary: A-10s pack mighty punch
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An A-10 Thunderbolt II prepares to take off from Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, to provide close-air support to ground troops in Iraq. A-10s have excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude and are highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)

7/20/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of force with flares over enemy positions in Bermal to gather location information about insurgents in the area.

French Mirage 2000s dropped guided bomb unit-12s on an insurgent mortar position in Garmsir. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the weapons destroyed the target.

Other Mirages provided shows of force with flares over Qal-E-Naw in support of ground forces in the area. The shows of force were reported as successful.

A B-1 conducted a show of force with flares over a known mortar position in Orgun-E to ward off attacks and cover ground forces exiting the area.

Also in Orgun-E, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed an enemy position with cannon rounds to stop the enemy from firing on friendly forces. The enemy broke contact after the strafing pass.

In total, 44 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, RAF GR-4 Tornados hit a weapons cache hidden in a cave with enhanced Paveway II munitions near Mosul. The pilots witnessed the explosion. One of the GR-4s performed a show of force with multiple flares for a ground unit moving around Al Qurnah.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons hit a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Baghdad with GBU-12s. The VBIED was destroyed by the weapons. The pilots also looked for suspicious activities in the area.

Also in Baghdad, Navy F/A-18 Hornets dropped GBU-31s along a road as part of a preplanned air strike.

F-16s watched over a helicopter medical evacuation after and IED attack in Baghdad.

GR-4s fired cannon rounds at insurgents attempting to hide rocket launchers in a garage near Basrah. The pilots also watched over ground forces raiding a building looking for IED emplacers.

Also in Basrah, a B-1 provided a show of force over the Basrah Palace which was being fired upon by insurgents. The enemy ceased fire after the show of force.

A-10s and F-16s provided armed overwatch for an area in Baquba after an IED explosion and also watched over a medical evacuation in the area.

Also in Baquba, F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on a weapons cache. The target was destroyed.

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator hit IED emplacers with a Hellfire missile near Balad. The Predator monitored the entire emplacement process before striking the insurgents and continued monitoring aftermath of the engagement.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 67 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.

Eighteen Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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.

Some 166 airlift sorties were flown, 804 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,549 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 13,300 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On July 18, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 248 receiving aircraft.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123061512
 
"An Air Force MQ-1 Predator hit IED emplacers with a Hellfire missile near Balad. The Predator monitored the entire emplacement process before striking the insurgents and continued monitoring aftermath of the engagement."



oh lol @ the insurgents
 
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