US Airpower Summary, Jan. 27, 2009: C-130s Support Transport Missions

An Air Force C-130 Hercules takes off for an airlift mission from a base in Southwest Asia. More than 130 airlift sorties were flown by coalition aircraft throughout the area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 27, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs destroyed anti-Afghan fighting positions with general purpose 500-pound bombs in the vicinity of Nangalam. The Thunderbolt IIs struck the targets at the request of a coalition convoy which had been receiving small arms fire from the enemy positions. An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle also executed a show of force in the area to deter enemy activity.

Near Shurakian, a coalition aircraft targeted an enemy compound with a precision guided munition. The aircraft destroyed the structure after gunmen in the compound opened fire on coalition soldiers with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer flew a show of force over Balocan after anti-Afghan forces command-detonated an improvised explosive device and started shooting at a coalition patrol. Enemy forces broke off attack and fled after the bomber executed the maneuver.

Near Musa Qala, a coalition aircraft executed a show of force to deter a group of enemy personnel spotted while gathering for an attack. Another coalition aircraft performed a show of force and expended flares to deter enemy force activity along a coalition patrol route near Sangin.

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

In total, 45 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Thirteen 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 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.

Thirty 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 619 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,700 passengers were transported. This included approximately 16,800 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 25, Air Force tanker crews flew 38 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 219 receiving aircraft.

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

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