US Airpower Summary; Nov. 21, 2008: B-1Bs Deter Insurgents

A B-1B Lancer receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender. B-1Bs can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary. The B-1B is assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Squadron and the KC-10 is assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 21, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto anti-Afghan forces who were firing rocket-propelled grenades at coalition forces in the vicinity of Qalat. Furthermore, Navy F/A-18C Hornets conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy in the same area. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

Near Sangin, F/A-18Cs fired cannon rounds against anti-Afghan forces that were firing at coalition forces. In addition, F/A-18Cs performed shows of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition ground forces convoy conducting operations in the same area. The JTACs declared the missions successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Worzhanah Kalay and Sheykhabad. The JTACs reported the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Kabul, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed a show of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for an Afghan national army team conducting building clearing operations in the area. The mission was confirmed a success by a JTAC.

A coalition aircraft conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Moqor. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Now Zad and Musa Qal'Eh, a Navy F/A-18A performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy conducting counter-IED operations. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

In total, 64 close-air-support missions were flown in support 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 Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, a coalition aircraft conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Al Majarr Al Kabir. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 42 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.

Twenty-nine 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, more than 350 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,500 passengers were transported. This included approximately 45,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Nov. 19, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 264 receiving aircraft.

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

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