US Airpower Summary, Jan. 14, 2009: C-130s Support Intra-Theater Airlift Missions

A C-130 Hercules taxis in at a Southwest Asia air base after completing a mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The C-130s provide intra-theater heavy airlift, transporting passengers to include troop resupply and delivering tons of cargo helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tony R. Tolley.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 14, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft performed a show of force and expended flares to cause anti-Afghan personnel to disperse from a village near Garmser. The aircraft was called in after gunmen fired at a friendly ground patrol with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms from inside the settlement. The pilot used non-lethal force as the enemy appeared to be collocated with women and children.

Near Gereshk, a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet performed a show of force and expended flares to deter enemy activity near a coalition ground unit.

Another Super Hornet executed a show of force near a coalition position to discourage hostile action from anti-Afghan forces outside Musa Qala.

In the Sangin area, a coalition aircraft performed a low altitude fly-by to help friendly convoys orient and return to travelling formation when a sudden change in weather severely reduced ground visibility.

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

In total, 37 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Three Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 40 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 120 airlift sorties were flown, more than 550 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,800 passengers were transported. This included approximately 84,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 12, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 268 receiving aircraft.

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

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