US Airpower Summary; Jan. 10, 2009: F-15Es Perform Shows of Force

An F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft returns to the fight after receiving fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan. The F-15E provides close-air support and armed aerial overwatch to deter enemy activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 10, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force and expended flares to prevent anti-Afghan forces from attacking a coalition convoy in the vicinity of Ghazni.

Near Musa Qala, coalition aircraft destroyed an enemy compound using guided bomb unit-12s, provided aerial overwatch for a coalition ground unit and executed shows of force in the area, expending flares to deter enemy counterattack.

Coalition aircraft performed shows of force expending flares and provided aerial observation in support of a ground operation near Tarin Kowt.

In the Bagram area an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force to deter enemy activity after coalition forces searched suspected enemy sites.

Coalition aircraft performed a show of force to deter anti-Afghan forces from placing improvised explosive devices along a convoy route.

On-scene joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition ground units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 50 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

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.

Twenty-eight 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 126 airlift sorties were flown, more than 420 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,200 passengers were transported. This included approximately 16,400 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 8, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.7 million pounds of fuel to 314 receiving aircraft.

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

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