US Airpower Summary; Oct. 11, 2008: B-1Bs Engage Anti-Afghan Forces

An Air Force B-1B Lancer flies a mission over Afghanistan. The B-1B can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 11, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 10, according to combined air and space operations center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-12 onto anti-Afghan forces in the vicinity of Shkin. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Oruzgan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-38s onto anti-Afghan forces. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed a show of force to deter insurgent activities near Gardez. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

In total, 47 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Fifteen Air Force and coalition intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions during operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 44 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-eight Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions during operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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

Approximately 126 airlift sorties were flown, 724 tons of cargo delivered, and 3,063 passengers were transported. This included approximately 130,200 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Oct. 9, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.7 million pounds of fuel to 286 receiving aircraft.

(From a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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