US Airpower Summary; Jan. 2, 2009: C-130s Provide Essential Airlift

A C-130 Hercules prepares for a nighttime departure. C-130s are prime transporters of cargo, passengers and troop resupply throughout Southwest Asia. This C-130 is deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas and is assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Raheem Moore.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 2, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan.1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-12 onto anti-Afghan forces near a ridge in the vicinity of Nurestan. The mission was confirmed a success by an on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

In the vicinity of Nangalam and near Bari Kowt, F-15Es conducted shows of force and performed armed aerial reconnaissance for a coalition forces foot patrol. The JTACs declared the missions were successful.

Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets conducted shows of force expending flares, to deter anti-Afghan activities and provide armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy in the vicinity of Sangin and near Musa Qal Eh. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Monari and near Ghazni, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided armed aerial reconnaissance and armed overwatch for a coalition convoy traveling along a known enemy ambush route. The JTACs confirmed the missions successful.

Navy F/A-18A Hornets conducted shows of force, expending flares to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Garmser. Also, a coalition aircraft performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Shurakian. The missions were declared a success by the JTACs.

In total, 68 close-air-support missions were flown in support of 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, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 19 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-four 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 450 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,200 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 136,000 pounds of troop re-supply that were air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 31, Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 234 receiving aircraft.

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

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