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| Iraq |
| Airpower used 5/30/07 in SW Asia |
| 2007-06-03 |
| Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s (500# JDAM) on insurgents in an area around Asadabad. The B-1 also dropped a GBU-31 (2000# JDAM) on the enemy targets as well. The attack was called successful by the on-scene joint terminal attack controller. The B-1 also performed shows of force with flares to try to determine an enemy location in Kandahar. There were no reports of gunfire reported after the shows of force. In Garmsir, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a GBU-38 on an enemy compound. Insurgents had fled to the building after firing on ground forces. The JTAC in the area reported the strike was successful Also in Garmsir, a B-1B dropped GBU-38s on an enemy firing position. The aircrew dropped GBU-31s on a building being used to attack coalition forces. The B-1 also provided air support after a helicopter crash in the area. F-15Es fired GBU-38s and cannon rounds at two insurgent buildings in Sangin. The JTAC reported the buildings were destroyed in the attack. F-15Es also monitored insurgent compounds and firing positions and escorted coalition forces in Sangin. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs supported ground forces fighting enemy personnel in Musa Qala by providing escort to a coalition convoy in the area. A B-1 provided a show of force for a convoy moving near Qaleh-Ye Now. The aircrew also provided a show of presence over a highway in the area. A Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier watched over the site of a helicopter crash near Kajaki Dam. Eleven Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped GBU-38s on an illegal bridge WTF?? illegal bridge? and on an insurgent vehicle in Baghdad. The drops hit their targets. Other F-16s dropped GBU-12s (500# LGB) on insurgent vehicles near Habbiniyah. The bombs directly impacted the vehicles, according to the JTAC Do Iraqi jihadis do car swarms? An F-18 fired cannon rounds at insurgents planting IEDs along a road in Karmah. The rounds hit their targets and the IED placement was stopped In total, coalition aircraft flew 60 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. Approximately 128 airlift sorties were flown; more than 535 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,607 passengers were transported. This included approximately 24,736 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Iraq flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. On May 29, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 233 receiving aircraft. |
| Posted by:Ahnuld |
| #3 OK, so now that we figured out what our toys can do, i think its time to go outside and play with them. otherwise they just gather dust on the shelves. |
| Posted by: USN, ret. 2007-06-03 23:12 |
| #2 WTF?? illegal bridge? I would guess that US, Iraqi Army, and Iraqi Police forces have checkpoints on all of the bridges to limit insurgent/terrorist movement, and especially movement of VBIEDs. The enemy solution, I guess, was to build themselves a bridge -- likely a pretty ramshackle affair, but good enough to get a Fiat Panda full of 152mm shells across. Almost certainly not the Tigris, cuz the Tigris is big, but possibly the Army Canal or Nahr Diyala or some overgrown sewage runoff. |
| Posted by: Phamp Pholunter3122 2007-06-03 05:14 |
| #1 Warms the cockles of my heart. Excellent joint and combined tacair support. |
| Posted by: anymouse 2007-06-03 00:17 |