US Airpower Summary; Dec. 27, 2008: A-10s Conduct Shows of Force

An A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a combat support mission over Afghanistan in support of Operations Enduring Freedom. 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. 27, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations on Dec. 26, according to combined air and space operations center officials.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-31 and an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds against anti-Afghan forces who where firing rocket propelled grenades against a coalition convoy in the vicinity of Nangalam. In addition, an F-15E performed a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities in the same area. The missions were confirmed a success by the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers.

Near Ghazni, an F-15E performed a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy traveling along a known enemy route. The JTAC declared the mission successful.

A-10s conducted shows of force to deter anti-Afghan activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for coalition convoys in the vicinity of Bari Kowt and near Bagram. The JTACs reported the missions successful.

In total, 54 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Sixteen Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 39 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-seven Air Force, Navy and coalition surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules 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 680 tons of cargo were delivered; and nearly 2,600 passengers were transported.

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

On Dec. 25, U.S. Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 209 receiving aircraft.

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

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