US Airpower Summary; Dec. 17, 2008: A-10s Conduct Shows of Force

An A-10 Thunderbolt II conducts show of force over Afghanistan in support of Operations Enduring Freedom. A-10s fly combat patrol missions to deter anti-Afghan activities and provide armed aerial overwatch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 17, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto anti-coalition forces who were in a bunker alongside a mountain ridge in the vicinity of Bari Kowt. Furthermore, the same A-10 conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities near Nangalam. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Shurakian, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the area. The JTACs declared the missions successful.

An A-10 performed a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy conducting operations in the vicinity of Sheykhabad. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

Near Jalalabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-coalition members from engaging a coalition convoy traveling to a village. The JTACs confirmed the missions successful.

An F-15E provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy traveling through known hostile territory in the vicinity of Khowst. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

In total, 67 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Three 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, 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-one Air Force, Navy and coalition ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally two 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 250 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,400 passengers were transported. This included approximately 7,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 15, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 247 receiving aircraft.

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

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