US Airpower Summary; Dec. 13, 2008: Reapers Watch or Strike

An MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft taxies after landing at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Reapers are remotely piloted and can linger over battlefields, providing persistent strike capabilities to ground force commanders. This Reaper is deployed to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron from Creech Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 13, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed shows of force to deter enemy activities against an Afghan National Army checkpoint that was under attack in the vicinity of Sheykhabad. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Sangin, coalition aircraft conducted shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy that had struck an improvised explosive device and was evacuating casualties from the area. The JTAC declared the mission was successful.

An A-10 and a coalition aircraft performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy that was disabled near Lashkar Gah. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Soltani and near Morghab, A-10s performed shows of force to deter enemy activities against a coalition convoy that was conducting operations in the area. The JTACs confirmed the missions were successful.

A coalition aircraft conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities observed in ambush sites along a well traveled route. The mission was reported a success by the JTAC.

In total, 59 close air-support-missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seventeen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons performed multi flight shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy conducting counter-IED operations in the vicinity of Baghdad. The JTACs confirmed the missions were successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 41 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-eight 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 400 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,500 passengers were transported. The airlift included approximately 36,000 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 Dec. 10, U.S. Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 293 receiving aircraft.

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

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