Airpower Summary for May 31st

Airpower Summary for May 31st

Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations May 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-38 on an enemy compound reported to have been the origin of a mortar attack on Coalition troops in Musa Qal’eh. The Joint Terminal Attack Controller reported the bomb impacted the target. The F-15E two-ship dropped GBU-38s on an underground complex in Sangin after ground forces saw Taliban fighters enter the opening. Both bombs were declared successful.

Also in Sangin, Royal Air Force GR-9 Harriers fired Enhanced Paveway II munitions at caves being used by Taliban fighters. The JTAC reported the munitions had a direct hit and created other explosions. The secondary explosions revealed the cave was a possible ammo cache. The Harriers also watched over ground forces searching the cave system.

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II provided a show of force with flares to keep Coalition forces from being attacked in Oruzgan. There were no attacks reported after the show of force.

A French Air Force Mirage 2000 provided shows of force with flares for Coalition forces near Ghazni.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer performed shows of force with flares to regain control of hostile crowd moving toward a village in Orgun-E. The show of force was reported as successful.

A-10s monitored Coalition convoys, one of which had been hit by an improvised explosive device near Gardez. There were no attacks while the A-10s were in the area. F-15s also provided convoy support and escort in Gardez.

The B-1 also dropped a GBU-31 on an insurgent compound in Garmsir. The JTAC, who requested the strike, reported Coalition forces were not receiving any fire after the bomb impacted its target.

An F-15E fired a GBU-38 at an insurgent building in Qawryah. Insurgents were firing at Coalition forces from the building. There were no reports of firing after the bomb hit the building.

An A-10 dropped a general-purpose 500 pound bomb on a compound near Kajaki Dam. The pilots strafed the area with cannon rounds as well.

In total, 40 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eighteen U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, U.S. Navy F-18C Hornets conducted shows of force with flares to force the enemy to reveal its position near Ad Dawr. The JTAC reported the shows of force had good effects.

Also near Ad Dawr, U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons provided overwatch and monitored suspicious activity. F-16s showed force expelling multiple flares over a cordon and search area in Tikrit. The pilots also watched over a convoy in Salman Pak.

In Baghdad, A-10s watched over Coalition raids and passed along coordinates of suspicious personnel seen on rooftops.

An F-16 provided a show of force to scatter insurgents in Mosul. The show of force was reported successful. The pilots also looked for IEDs and passed along coordinates of ground forces taking fire in Hawijah.

Near Samarra, an F-16 dropped a GBU-38 on an inaccessible building being used by insurgents. The bomb impacted the target and had good effects. The pilots also watched over a cordoned area.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 57 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.

Sixteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, five Air Force and Navy fighter 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 125 airlift sorties were flown; more than 435 tons of cargo was delivered, and approximately 3,060 passengers were transported. This included approximately 30,940 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Iraq and Korea flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On May 30, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force and French Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 223 receiving aircraft.

Taken from press release #07-01-03p - Release Date 6/01/07
By: Headquarters United States Central Command
7115 South Boundary Boulevard

MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101