US Airpower Summary; Nov. 25, 2008: C-130s Vital to Transport Missions

A C-130 Hercules prepares to depart a Southwest Asia air base on a sortie en route to Iraq. The C-130s are vital to transporting passengers and cargo, providing intra-theater heavy airlift and supporting operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. The C-130 is assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Raheem Moore.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 25, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 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 who were firing rocket-propelled grenades at coalition forces on a hillside in the vicinity of Bari Kowt. The missions were confirmed a success by an on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Kajaki Dam, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a GBU-38 and GBU-31s onto anti-Afghan forces who were hunkered down in a bunker using small arms fire against a coalition forces convoy conducting operations in the area. A JTAC declared the mission successful.

A Navy F/A-18C Hornet dropped GBU-38s onto a compound where anti-Afghan forces were firing rocket-propelled grenades at coalition forces in the vicinity of Musa Qal'Eh. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

In the vicinity of Garmser, a Navy F/A-18A Hornet and a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-Afghan forces from firing at coalition ground forces who were conducting foot patrol operations. The JTACs confirmed the missions successful.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted shows of force to deter enemy fighters and provide armed aerial overwatch for Afghan national army members performing assess and recovery operations in the vicinity of Ghazni. The missions were declared a success by the JTACs

In the vicinity of Shurakian and near Gereshk, F/A-18Es conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities. The JTACs reported the missions successful.

A coalition aircraft performed a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition forces convoy in the vicinity of Qarah Bagh. The mission was confirmed a success by a JTAC.

In total, 69 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Thirteen 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 52 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-three Air Force, Navy and coalition 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 140 airlift sorties were flown, more than 450 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 2,800 passengers were transported. This included approximately 89,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Nov. 23, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 277 receiving aircraft.

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

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