US Airpower Summary, Jan. 28, 2009: B-1Bs Provide Overwatch

A B-1B Lancer receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender. B-1Bs can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary. The B-1B is assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Squadron and the KC-10 is assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 28, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped several guided bombs on high ground overlooking a coalition patrol's position, denying anti-Afghan forces the ability to occupy it and emplace mortars. Enemy forces had engaged the patrol using small arms and indirect fire.

Near Balocan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper dropped a guided bomb unit-12 on a group of enemy personnel rigging an improvised explosive device on a local highway.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force near Bagram to deter enemy activity near a coalition patrol. A coalition aircraft near Lashkar Gah performed a similar mission, expending flares, in order to discourage enemy attack on coalition soldiers there.

In the vicinity of Garmser, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a show of force to deter enemy action. The Thunderbolt II also performed route surveillance to ensure the safe passage of a coalition convoy.

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

In total, 54 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Sixteen 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 37 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 135 airlift sorties were flown, more than 400 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,200 passengers were transported. This included approximately 75,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 26, Air Force tanker crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 225 receiving aircraft.

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

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