US Airpower Summary; Dec. 9, 2008:

An F-16 Fighting Falcon is housed in a hardened aircraft shelter with a pilot ready 24 hours a day to fly missions in alert status. The Fighting Falcon is from the 332nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Richardson.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 9, 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet and a coalition aircraft dropped guided bomb unit-12s and GBU-38s onto anti-Afghan forces who were firing at a coalition forces convoy conducting search operations in the vicinity of Shurakian. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

Near Lashkar Gah, a coalition aircraft conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities. A JTAC declared 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.

Seven 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, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons performed shows of force to deter enemy fighters and armed reconnaissance to investigate the reports of small arms fire in the vicinity of Baghdad. The JTACs declared the missions successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 47 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-nine Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three 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 500 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,200 passengers were transported. This included approximately 93,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 7, U.S. Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 267 receiving aircraft.

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

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