US Airpower Summary; Dec. 1, 2008: A-10s Perform Shows of Force

Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fly over Afghanistan providing top cover for ground forces. A-10s perform shows of force and provide armed aerial overwatch in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 1, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped a guided bomb unit-12 and GBU-38s and coalition aircraft fired cannon rounds against anti-coalition members who were hiding in a compound in the vicinity of Shurakian. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Nangalam, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped GBU-38s onto a building where anti-Afghan forces were hunkered down and firing at coalition forces. The JTACs declared the missions successful.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy that was hit by an IED near Bagram. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

In the vicinity of Ghazni, A-10s performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-Afghan forces from firing at a coalition ground forces patrol conducting search operations in the area. The JTACs confirmed the missions successful.

Navy F/A-18A Hornets and F/A-18Es conducted shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy conducting IED search operations in the vicinity of Lashkar Gah. The missions were declared a success by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Asmar, an F-15E performed a show of force to deter anti-coalition members who were hiding in a compound with a fortified wall conducting suspicious activities. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

In total, 61 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, coalition aircraft flew 36 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-one 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 3,000 passengers were transported.

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

On Nov. 29, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 266 receiving aircraft.

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

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