US Airpower Summary; Oct. 31, 2008: F-15Es Keep Vigilant Overwatch

An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off from a Southwest Asia air base. The F-15E is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 31, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a guided bomb unit-38 onto anti-Afghan forces as they moved a weapons cache from a building to a hole dug in the ground in the vicinity of Sangin. Furthermore, the F/A-18s performed shows of force to deter further enemy activity in the area. The missions were confirmed a success by an on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Garmser, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and a coalition aircraft conducted shows of force to provide armed aerial overwatch and scan a line of compounds in the area. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

F-15Es performed multi-flight shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Sheykhabad and near Malek Din. The missions were declared successful by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Musa Qaleh and near Shurakian, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet and another coalition aircraft performed multi-flight shows of force to deter enemy activities and provide armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy in the areas. The missions were confirmed a success by the JTACs.

In total, 67 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Fourteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Navy 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 overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-four Air Force, Navy and coalition 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 150 airlift sorties were flown, more than 600 tons of cargo delivered and nearly 4,800 passengers were transported. This included approximately 43,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Oct. 29, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 254 receiving aircraft.

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

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