US Airpower Summary; Jan. 8, 2009: C-130s Provide Supplies

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 Jan. 7 throughout the area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 8, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force unmanned aircraft and a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fired a Hellfire missile, dropped guided bomb unit-12 and -38s, and fired cannon rounds against an anti-Afghan force gathered in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt. The missions were confirmed successful by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

Near Nangalam an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-15E Strike Eagle executed shows of force to deter enemy forces attacking a U.S. ground unit. The JTACs declared the missions successful.

Navy F/A-18A Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets conducted shows of force to deter anti-Afghan forces and provided armed overwatch for coalition infantry units near Shurakian. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.

In the Bagram area, an A-10 performed a show of force while providing aerial overwatch for a coalition unit clearing suspected enemy sites. The JTAC reported the mission a success.

An F/A-18C Hornet flew a show of force and expended flares to deter anti-Afghan forces firing on coalition ground units in the Sangin region. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

An F-15E conducted a show of force while performing armed aerial escort for a coalition patrol near Ghazni. The JTAC deemed the mission successful.

In total, 82 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eighteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four Navy and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 44 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-two Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, a 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 460 tons of cargo were delivered, and nearly 3,000 passengers were transported.

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

On Jan. 6, Air Force and coalition tankers flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 million pounds of fuel to 299 receiving aircraft.

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

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