US Airpower Summary; Dec. 15, 2008: F-15Es Fly Combat Patrol Mission

An F-15E Strike Eagle flies a combat patrol mission over Afghanistan recently. The F-15E is from the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by /Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 15, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-38 onto anti-Afghan forces who were using heavy machine gun fire against coalition ground forces near Musa Qaleh. Furthermore, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets conducted armed overwatch to deter enemy activities in the same area. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Lashkar Gah, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet dropped a GBU-38 onto anti-Afghan forces who were firing rocket-propelled grenades at coalition ground forces conducting operations. A JTAC declared the mission successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Abchakan and near Sheykhabad. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Konduz, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-coalition members from setting up a mortar attack against a coalition convoy that was conducting operations in the area. The JTACs confirmed the missions successful.

An F-15E conducted a show of force to deter further anti-Afghan activities against a construction team that had come under attack near Khowst. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

In the vicinity of Nangalam and near Bagram, F-15Es performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the area. The JTACs declared the missions successful.

An F-15E, A-10 and a coalition aircraft conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial escort for a coalition convoy traveling to a forward operation base in the vicinity of Worzhanah Kalay. The missions were confirmed a success by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Sangin, an F/A-18F performed a show of force to deter enemy activities. A JTAC reported the mission successful.

In total, 63 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons performed tactical shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition forces team conducting a building raid in the vicinity of Baghdad. The JTACs confirmed the missions successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 45 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 Air Force, Navy and coalition 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 300 tons of cargo were delivered, and nearly 3,000 passengers were transported. This included approximately 61,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 13, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 278 receiving aircraft.

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

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