US Airpower Summary, Jan. 19, 2009: C-130s Sustain Operations

Ground crews prepare a C-130 Hercules for take off before a recent mission. The C-130 is assigned to the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. Every week, the 746th EAS contributes to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing delivering more than 1,500 tons of cargo to forward deployed locations. They also transport hundreds of servicemembers in support of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. David Miller.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 19, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations January 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18A Hornet performed a show of force and expended flares to disperse anti-Afghan personnel gathered in the Musa Qala region. The group sporadically fired long-distance shots at coalition soldiers from a civilian residential block, but fled when the fighter passed overhead.

A Navy F/A-18C Hornet in the same region also conducted a show of force, breaking up an enemy group that was preparing to attack an approaching coalition patrol from a local settlement. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets performed follow-up shows of force to prevent further enemy activity.

A coalition aircraft routed a group of anti-Afghan personnel gathered near Lashkar Gah with a show of force. The jet also scouted a roadway in advance of a coalition convoy movement to ensure it was clear of enemy personnel or improvised explosive devices.

In the vicinity of Shurakian, a coalition aircraft performed aerial overwatch for a friendly encampment and conducted a show of force to deter enemy forces from attacking the position.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy performing humanitarian missions in villages near Bagram. The F-15E performed a show of force to discourage enemy attack on the convoy as it departed a village, then provided aerial escort until the convoy safely returned to base.

Additional Navy Super Hornets along with coalition aircraft performed shows of force near Delaram, Gereshk and Tarin Kowt in support of friendly ground forces, deterring enemy action in those areas.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 72 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seventeen 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-seven 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 intratheater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 135 airlift sorties were flown; more than 470 tons of cargo were delivered; and about 3,400 passengers were transported. This included approximately 87,600 pounds of troop resupply that was air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 17, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 268 receiving aircraft.

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

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