US Airpower Summary; Nov. 5, 2008: F-16s Protect Coalition Forces

An F-16 Fighting Falcon launches electronic countermeasure flares following an aerial refueling mission over Iraq. F-16s provide armed aerial overwatch and is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft with high maneuverability. (Defense Department photo.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, coalition aircrafts dropped guided bomb unit-12s and enhanced Paveway II munitions onto a ridge line where anti-Afghan forces were firing at coalition forces near Kandahar. The mission was confirmed a success by an on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

Near Oruzgan, Navy F/A-18C Hornets fired cannon rounds onto enemy fighters who were attacking a coalition convoy with small arms fire who were assisting a single overturned vehicle. Furthermore, coalition aircraft performed shows of force to provide armed aerial overwatch to the same convoy. The JTACs reported the missions successful.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities and provide armed aerial overwatch for coalition ground forces who were conducting operations in the vicinity of Bari Kowt and near Bamian. The missions were declared a success by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Lashkar Gah and near Gereshk, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities. The JTACs reported the missions successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-Afghan forces from firing at a coalition convoy conducting operations near Monari. The mission was confirmed successful by a JTAC.

In total, 68 close-air-support missions were flown as part 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, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducted a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy assisting multiple vehicles hit by IED's in the vicinity of Balad. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

Near Baqubah, an F-16 conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 43 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 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 150 airlift sorties were flown, nearly 450 tons of cargo delivered and more than 3,700 passengers were transported. This included approximately 60,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Nov. 3, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 million pounds of fuel to 304 receiving aircraft.

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

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