May 11 airpower summary: C-130s provide heavy airlift

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SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb unit-12, GBU-31s, and GBU-38s onto enemy combatants and enemy combatant fighting positions in the vicinity of Asadabad. The joint terminal attack controller declared the mission a success.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and dropped general purpose 500-pound bombs on enemy combatants and enemy positions in Nangalam. The mission was reported as a success by the JTAC.

In Bagram, an A-10 dropped GBU-12s onto enemy combatants. The JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.

In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Thirteen Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet dropped a GBU-38 onto an enemy position in Al Amarah. Furthermore an F/A-18C performed a show of force in the area in order to deter enemy activities. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 69 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-four Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian air force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Air Force and Navy 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 152 airlift sorties were flown, 271 tons of cargo delivered and 3,891 passengers were transported. This included approximately 39,130 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq and Korea flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On May 10, Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 57 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 270 receiving aircraft.