US Airpower Summary, Jan. 13, 2009: A-10s Deter Enemy Actions

An A-10 Thunderbolt II provides top cover over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A-10s perform shows of force to deter enemy activities and provide armed aerial overwatch for coalition ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 13, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet flying an aerial overwatch mission near Tarin Kowt performed a show of force to aid a coalition convoy taking small arms and mortar fire. The Super Hornet then struck a nearby enemy enclave with a guided bomb unit-38 after enemy personnel were observed there directing mortars at coalition troops.

Near Delaram, a coalition aircraft dropped a GBU-38 on a group of enemy personnel attempting to set up improvised explosive devices along a coalition supply route.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs executed shows of force and expended flares near Bagram to prevent enemy action during a coalition operation.

In the vicinity of Gereshk, a coalition aircraft performed a show of force to discourage a suspected enemy group from placing an IED.

A-10s conducted shows of force and expended flares to deter enemy activity during aerial overwatch missions in the Ghazni, Shkin and Nangalam areas.

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

In total, 61 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Five 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 46 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.

Thirty-Five 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 300 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,700 passengers were transported. This included approximately 104,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 11, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 234 receiving aircraft.

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

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