US Airpower Summary, Jan. 25, 2009: F-15Es Target Anti-Afghan Forces

An F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft receives fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan. The F-15E provides close-air support and armed aerial overwatch to deter enemy activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 25, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle targeted anti-Afghan forces in a tree line after they engaged coalition soldiers. The strike took place in the vicinity of Shurakian.

Near Mata Khan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force expending flares to deter enemy activity along the route of a coalition convoy. The A-10 provided security for the convoy as an aerial escort.

Air Force F-15Es provided overwatch for a coalition patrol travelling between bases in the Bagram area. The aircraft conducted a show of force and route reconnaissance to prevent enemy attack against the patrol.

Around the Moqor area, F-15Es performed a show of force over a settlement known as a site of anti-Afghan force activity and hostile fire. The Strike Eagles accomplished the maneuver to deter hostile activity in advance of the arrival of a coalition patrol.

In the Delaram region, an A-10 dropped illumination flares to increase visibility for a coalition patrol entering the area. The A-10 also executed a show of force to discourage enemy activity.

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

In total, 50 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 coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 43 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, 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 140 airlift sorties were flown, more than 725 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,300 passengers were transported. This included approximately 19,900 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 23, Air Force tanker crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 241 receiving aircraft.

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

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