US Airpower Summary; Dec. 29, 2008: C-130s Transport Cargo

A C-130 Hercules prepares for a nighttime departure sortie mission en route to Iraq. C-130s are prime transporters of cargo, passengers and troop resupply and support heavy airlift missions throughout Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Raheem Moore.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 29, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed shows of force expending flares to deter anti-Afghan activities in the vicinity of Soltani. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Shurakian, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in the area. A JTAC declared the mission successful.

Coalition aircraft conducted shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition ground forces convoy conducting improvised explosive devise search operations in the vicinity of Sangin and near Kabul. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Ghazni, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force and provided armed aerial reconnaissance for a coalition forces convoy traveling through a known enemy checkpoint. A JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

An A-10 conducted aerial reconnaissance of an enemy compound to provide a coalition convoy the location of a high value target in the vicinity of Bari Kowt. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

In total, 71 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, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, 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.

Twenty-eight Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq.

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 140 airlift sorties were flown, more than 450 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 2,500 passengers were transported. This included approximately 33,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 27, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 223 receiving aircraft.

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

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