US Airpower Summary; Dec. 2, 2008: Hercs Airdrop Supplies

C-130 Hercules aircraft, like these taxiing in to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., after a training mission, provide intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 2, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-38 and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general purpose 500-pound bombs onto anti-Afghan forces who were firing rocket propelled grenades and mortars at coalition forces from inside a house in the vicinity of Nangalam. Also, F-15Es performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in the same area. The missions were confirmed a success by the on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Lashkar Gah, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet and a coalition aircraft fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces holding positions along a river in order to clear the path for a coalition convoy traveling along that route. In addition, F/A-18Fs conducted a show of force to deter enemy fighters and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy in the same area. The JTACs declared the missions were successful.

Coalition aircraft dropped a GBU-12 onto anti-coalition forces who were using RPGs and small-arms fire to attack coalition forces conducting tactical movements in the vicinity of Sangin. Furthermore, a coalition aircraft conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for the coalition forces who were still in the area. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Bari Kowt, an A-10 performed a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-Afghan forces from firing at coalition quick reaction forces conducting search operations in the area. The JTAC confirmed the mission was successful.

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

In total, 68 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet performed a show of force to deter anti-coalition forces who were smuggling oil from a pipeline in the vicinity of Al Asad. The JTAC declared the mission was successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 21 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-five 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 110 airlift sorties were flown, more than 580 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 2,800 passengers were transported. The airlift included approximately 73,000 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 Nov. 30, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 233 receiving aircraft.

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

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