US Airpower Summary; Jan. 9, 2009: A-10s Deter Anti-Afghan Forces

An A-10 Thunderbolt II takes off from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to fly a combat sortie in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The A-10 has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson.)

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. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet performed shows of force and expended flares to deter anti-Afghan forces from attacking coalition units in the vicinity of Ghazni. The missions were declared a success by the on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

Near Delaram, a Navy F/A-18E, providing aerial overwatch for a coalition ground unit, executed a show of force, expending flares to disrupt an enemy attack. The JTACs declared the mission a success.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10s performed shows of force expending flares as a deterrent to anti-Afghan forces firing at coalition ground units near Sheykhabad. Additionally, F-15Es provided aerial overwatch of a landing zone as coalition helicopters picked up soldiers. The missions were declared successful by the JTACs.

Outside Shurakian, a Navy F/A-18E performed a show of force and expended a flare to repel an enemy force engaging a coalition convoy. The JTACs reported the mission was a success.

In total, 73 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 48 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-six 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 126 airlift sorties were flown; more than 420 tons of cargo were delivered, and nearly 3,200 passengers were transported. This included approximately 16,400 pounds of troop resupply that was air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 7, Air Force and coalition tankers flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.7 million pounds of fuel to 314 receiving aircraft.

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

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