Iraq / Afghan bombing continues - IEDS kill 10 in Khost and Helmand

Air Force Link reports that yesterday In total, 76 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 25 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. 29 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, three coalition and Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper used Hellfire missiles to target a group of anti-Afghan gunmen operating an illegal checkpoint near Kandahar.(indicating reprts arecorrect that Taliban forces are closing ) The group was spotted by a coalition ground unit in the area, who coordinated with the drone operator to ensure civilians were not in danger when the airstrike occurred.

In the vicinity of Malek Din, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II preemptively flew a show of force in the route of a coalition convoy, expending flares. The maneuver was intended to discourage enemy action while the convoy passed a point where enemy forces historically set up ambushes.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle hit a group of anti-Afghan forces in an open field with a guided bomb unit-12 after an engagement between the enemy personnel and coalition ground units. The individuals had been firing their assault rifles at coalition soldiers which prompted the air response.

A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet conducted a show of force and expended flares near Tarin Kowt for a friendly convoy under fire from enemy forces. The show of force caused the enemy to stop firing and retreat from the area. The convoy completed its mission successfully.

Meanwhile on the ground Seven Afghan soldiers were killed in an IED attack in Khost province. Four civilians were killed and six were wounded in an IED attack in Helmand province. Afghan and British forces have launched an operation in the Aaabi Toorah, Kanishin area of Helmand province according to NATO/ ISAF.

After being inserted into the Kanishin area by helicopter, Afghan troops, supported by the British 42 Commando Group, encountered a series of enemy-held compounds. The ANSF and ISAF combined efforts, including precisely targeted air support from helicopters, resulted in the insurgents’ defeat. Searches of the secured compounds uncovered weapons and suicide Improvised Explosive Device (IED) vests.