US Airpower Summary, Jan. 29, 2009: F-15Es Deter Insurgent Activities

An F-15E Strike Eagle soars over the mountains and high desert of Afghanistan providing close-air support to troops on the ground engaged in rooting out insurgent sanctuaries and support networks. The Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. (U.S. Air Force photo Master Sgt. Lance Cheung.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 29, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles destroyed several enemy fighting positions in the Nangalam region using guided bomb unit-31s and -38s. The targets included anti-Afghan heavy machine gun and other emplacements that were firing on coalition ground forces.

In the vicinity of Qal-E-Naw, multiple Air Force aircraft including A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, B-1B Lancers and F-15E Strike Eagles conducted shows of force to disperse anti-Afghan personnel attacking coalition forces. The aircraft also helped friendly units locate enemy fighting positions while providing aerial overwatch.

Coalition and Air Force aircraft near Sangin performed shows of force, some expending flares, to support several coalition operations in the area. Enemy forces fired on coalition soldiers but withdrew following the maneuvers. Some of the supported coalition missions included meetings with local leaders, post battle assessment and humanitarian relief.

Near Sheykhabad, F-15Es flew shows of force over a coalition supply convoy to help them break contact with enemy gunmen. Enemy personnel had opened fire at the convoy along a public highway, indiscriminately endangering nearby civilians as they fired from a distance with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.

An A-10 flew a show of force over the Malek Din area to prevent enemy activity along the route of a coalition convoy.

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

In total, 55 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 38 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-eight 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 135 airlift sorties were flown, more than 410 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,200 passengers were transported. This included approximately 61,400 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 27, Air Force tanker crews flew 37 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 214 receiving aircraft.

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

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