US Airpower Summary; Nov. 27, 2008: A-10s Support Ground Forces

An A-10 Thunderbolt II, like this one, performs sorties daily providing top cover for ground forces in Southwest Asia. 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 Master Sgt. Robert Wieland.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 27, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces who were firing rocket propelled grenades and mortars at coalition forces from behind a ridgeline in the vicinity of Nangalam. The mission was confirmed a success by the on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

In the vicinity of Shurakian, a coalition aircraft fired rockets against enemy forces who were attacking coalition members from a hillside. The JTAC declared the mission was successful.

Coalition aircraft conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Musa Qaleh. The mission was reported a success by the JTAC.

In the vicinity of Bagram, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-Afghan forces from firing at coalition members who were conducting search operations. The JTAC confirmed the mission was successful.

A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet conducted a show of force to deter enemy fighters and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt. The mission was declared a success by the JTACs.

In total, 69 close-air-support missions were flown in support 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 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.

Twenty- five 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 130 airlift sorties were flown, more than 530 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 2,400 passengers were transported. The airlift included approximately 57,000 pounds of troop re-supply that was air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Nov. 25, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 278 receiving aircraft.

(From a U.S. Air Force news release.)

Tags: DOD, Military, War, United States, U.S., al Qaeda, al Qaida, GWOT, terrorism, Taliban, Open Thread, Wire, Headlines, Dispatches from the Front
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Buzz, Tension