US Airpower Summary, Feb. 13, 2009: C-130s Sustain Transport Missions

A C-130 Hercules prepares to depart on a sortie to Iraq from a base in Southwest Asia. The C-130 provides intra-theater heavy airlift, delivering tons of cargo and transporting passengers in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Raheem Moore.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 13, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet used a guided bomb unit-38 to strike anti-Afghan forces firing at coalition troops from a mountain side near Oruzgan. The Super Hornet also performed shows of force expending flares to suppress hostile fire and deter remaining enemy forces.

A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet engaged enemy gunmen in a compound using a GBU-38 near Musa Qala. The strike destroyed the enemy's fortified position inside the structure being used as a platform for rocket-propelled grenade and automatic weapon fire directed at a coalition unit.

Near Sangin, a Super Hornet and a coalition aircraft flew shows of force to deter enemy forces while flying aerial overwatch for coalition ground troops. The coalition troops had been receiving hostile fire prior to the maneuver.

A coalition aircraft also flew a show of force in the area of Lashkar Gah in order to discourage enemy forces from launching indirect fire attacks from a position they had used in the past.

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

In total, 57 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eleven 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 43 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 120 airlift sorties were flown, more than 475 tons of cargo was delivered and about 2,900 passengers were transported.

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

On Feb. 11, Air Force tanker crews flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 189 receiving aircraft.

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

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