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Iraq
Jan. 16 airpower summary: Tankers fuel the fleet
2008-01-18
1/17/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a total of two close-air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Five Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s on enemy structures in the vicinity of Baghdad. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the missions as a success.
GBU-31= 2000 lb. JDAM
In Baqubah, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device using GBU-38s. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.
GBU-38= 500 lb. JDAM
In Khan Bani Sa'd, a house-borne IED, and a VBIED were destroyed by F-16s using GBU-38s. The JTAC declared the missions were successful.

A show of force was performed by an F-16 to deter enemy activities in Khan Bani Sa'd . The JTAC reported the mission was a success.

In Baqubah, an F-16s dropped GBU-12s and GBU-38s in order to destroy HBIEDs. The JTAC confirmed the success of the missions.

Navy F-18 Super Hornets destroyed an IED and an enemy weapons cache using GBU-12s and GBU-38s in Baqubah. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.
GBU-12= Paveway II 500 lb. laser-guided bomb
North of Babil, F-18s dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy HBIEDs. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

North of Babil, shows of force were performed by F-16s in order to deter enemy activities. The JTAC reported the mission was a success.

A show of force was performed by an F-16 in order to deter enemy activities in Tall Afar. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 65 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.

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

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

Approximately 109 airlift sorties were flown; 205 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,132 passengers were transported. This included approximately 39,930 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Canada, Iraq, and Japan flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Lefties continue to condemn the "unilateral" operations by the US and its 40+ allies. I really suspect that many of them don't know what the word means.
On Jan. 15, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.0 million pounds of fuel to 191 receiving aircraft.
Posted by:Gromomble Oppressor of the Iowans8916

#4  Steve: no need to duck and cover, its too easy,
I have 3 Boeing friends that are in the business of giving me full time sh!t re: lawn darts.
Posted by: USN,Ret.   2008-01-18 14:50  

#3  Couldn't they just build like a bazillion more Hornettes for the tanker role?

/me ducks and covers
Posted by: SteveS   2008-01-18 14:00  

#2  "On Jan. 15, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.0 million pounds of fuel to 191 receiving aircraft."

And this is exactly why the USAF and Congress needs to quit screwing around and award the new tanker contract to Boeing, not Airbus, Boeing. NOW! The 135's are being used at rates greater than forecast and until a new airframe is fielded, they probably will be. It is only a matter of luck and a salute to the skills of the maintainers that there have not been any in-flight breakups of them. It would not surprise me if we witness one before they are all retiered. The existing KC-10s cannot support the current TacAir fleet; the buddy stores on the Super Lawn Darts contributes minimally to the overall in flight refuelling posture as well as diverting a warfighting asset to a support role.


Posted by: USN,Ret.   2008-01-18 13:35  

#1  I love that "Sonic Skirt" in the photo.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2008-01-18 13:24  

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