April 13 airpower summary: C-130s provide heavy airlift support

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SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Bermel, Lwara, and Orgune. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the success of the missions.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Asadabad, Ghazni, Kandahar and Orgune. A JTAC reported the success of the missions.

In order to deter enemy activities, French 2000 Mirages performed shows of force in Deh Rawod and Now Zad. A JTAC declared the missions were successful.

In Kandahar, an F-15 dropped a guided bomb unit-12 in order to destroy enemy combatants in a tree line. The success of the mission was confirmed by a JTAC.

In Bermel, A-10s dropped GBU-12s in order to destroy enemy rocket positions. The success of the mission was reported by a JTAC.

An A-10 dropped GBU-12s and a 500-pound bomb in order to destroy enemy combatants in Nangalam. The mission's success was declared by a JTAC.

In total, 40 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, a Navy F/A-18 Hornet performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities in Basra. The success of the mission was confirmed by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 66 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-three Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, eight Air Force, Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 157 airlift sorties were flown, 598 tons of cargo delivered and 4,609 passengers were transported. This included approximately 64,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On April 12, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.