US Airpower Summary; Jan. 11, 2009: C-17s Deliver Troops, Cargo

A C-17 Globemaster III touches down at a forward deployed location upon returning from a mission. The C-17 performs tactical airlift and airdrop missions, transports passengers, delivers troop resupply and all types of cargo throughout Southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clark Staehle.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 11, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18A Hornets dropped guided bomb unit-12s and destroyed an enemy unit planting improvised explosive devices in the vicinity of Musa Qala. Additionally, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets conducted shows of force and expended flares to deter other anti-Afghan forces in the area.

In the Worzhanah Kalay region, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force near a Coalition outpost to deter enemy activity.

Navy Hornets and Super Hornets along with coalition aircraft performed shows of force and expended flares to disperse anti-Afghan units gathering for attack and setting up suspected mortar positions near Tarin Kowt.

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

In total, 67 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight 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-two 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 120 airlift sorties were flown, more than 440 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 1,800 passengers were transported. This included approximately 62,600 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 9, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 236 receiving aircraft.

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

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