US Airpower Summary; Dec. 14, 2008: A-10s Remain Vigilant

An A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a combat support mission over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom recently. A-10s conduct shows of force to deter enemy activities and provide armed aerial overwatch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 14, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb unit-12 and GBU-38s while an Air Force MQ-1B Predator used Hellfire missiles against anti-Afghan forces that were firing rocket-propelled grenades at a coalition outpost in the vicinity of Asadabad. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Ghazni, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for coalition forces conducting operations. A JTAC declared the mission successful.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Musa Qal Eh. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

Near Sheykhabad, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet performed a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter enemy activities against a coalition convoy that was conducting operations in the area. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.
A Navy F/A-18 F Super Hornet conducted a show of force and expended flares to deter anti-Afghan activities near Qalat. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

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, four Navy and 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 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-six 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 200 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,500 passengers were transported. This included approximately 28,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 12, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 227 receiving aircraft.

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

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