Friday, November 28, 2008

US Airpower Summary, Nov. 28, 2008: F-15 Strike Eagles Provide Close-Air Support

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An F-15E Strike Eagle, from the 492th Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, pops flairs during a combat sortie in Southwest Asia. The F-15E's primary role in Afghanistan is providing close-air support for ground troops. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Aaron Allmon II.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 28, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds, and a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a guided bomb unit-38 onto anti-Afghan forces in the vicinity of Morghab. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Bari Kowt, F-15Es dropped a GBU-31 and a GBU-38 onto anti-coalition members who were firing at a coalition forces convoy from a cave on the hillside. The JTAC declared the mission was successful.

Coalition aircraft conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities near Mushan. The mission was reported a success by the JTAC.

In the vicinity of Malek Din and Qalat, F-15Es performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-Afghan forces from firing at a coalition convoy traveling to a nearby forward operating base along the Pakistan, Afghanistan border. The JTACs confirmed the missions were 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 Lashkar Gah. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

In the vicinity of Shkin, an A-10 conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities. The JTAC reported the mission was successful.

A coalition aircraft performed a show of force to deter anti-coalition members who were emplacing improvised explosive devices on the side of a known travel route near Gereshk. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

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, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16CJ Fighting Falcons performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for coalition ground forces who were conducting IED search operations in the vicinity of Baqubah. The JTACs confirmed the missions were successful.

In total, 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-two 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 100 airlift sorties were flown, more than 350 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 1,700 passengers were transported.

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

On Nov. 26, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.7 million pounds of fuel to 290 receiving aircraft.

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

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