US Airpower Summary; Nov. 18, 2008: A-10s Deter Enemy Activities

An A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a combat mission over Afghanistan. A-10s provide close-air support and employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bombs units and laser guided bombs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 18, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for coalition forces conducting operations in the vicinity of Bari Kowt. The mission was confirmed a success by an on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

In total, 54 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seventeen 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 48 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 hostile activities.

Thirty-one Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and coalition 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 120 airlift sorties were flown, more than 500 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 2,800 passengers were transported. This included approximately 28,500 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Nov. 16, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 246 receiving aircraft.

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

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