US Airpower Summary; Oct. 25, 2008: F-16 Strikes Enemy

An F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a mission over Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julianne Showalter.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 25, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb unit-38 and fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces using small arms fire against coalition forces in the vicinity of Shurakian. The mission was confirmed a success by an on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

Coalition aircraft performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Qalat and Malek Din. JTACs reported the missions successful.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a GBU-12 onto enemy positions in a building that was using rocket propelled grenades against coalition forces near Lashkar Gah. The mission was declared successful by a JTAC.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted multiflight shows of force to provide armed aerial overwatch to a coalition convoy that had struck multiple IED's and to deter insurgent activities in the vicinity of Soltani. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

An A-10 performed a show of force near Gardez to deter enemy activities. The mission was confirmed a success by a JTAC.

In total, 50 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 37 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-eight Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Air Force 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 130 airlift sorties were flown, 390 tons of cargo delivered, and 3,100 passengers were transported. This included approximately 21,600 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On October 23, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 million pounds of fuel to 290 receiving aircraft.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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