US Airpower Summary, July 14, 2009: A-10s Protect Coalition Forces

An A-10 Thunderbolt II flies over supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lance Cheung.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 14, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Ghazni, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force to deter enemy aggression on friendly forces. The A-10s released flares resulting in an immediate cease fire of small arms and rocket-propelled grenades

Near Orgun-E, A-10s conducted shows of force to prevent an enemy attack on nearby coalition forces.

In the vicinity of Asmar, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles released flares in a show of force that successfully deterred an enemy force attack.

Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets were providing armed overwatch when a friendly ground unit came under automatic weapons fire near Lashkar Gah. The attack ended when the aircraft flew a show of force over the area.

F-15Es at Sheykhabad dropped guided bomb unit -38s on an enemy position resulting in immediately stopping a small-arms fire and RPG attack on friendly forces.

F/A-18Es were again providing armed overwatch when a friendly ground unit came under automatic weapons fire near Lashkar Gah. The attack ended when the aircraft flew a show of force over the area.

Near Malek Din, A-10s conducted shows of force to deter enemy aggression on friendly forces. The A-10s released flares resulting in an immediate cease fire of small arms and RPGs.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 61 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-four Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew eight 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-four Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, 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 122 airlift sorties were flown, 989 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,726 passengers were transported. This included about 68,760 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On July 12, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 13 patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60G transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.

Air Force tanker crews flew 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 188 receiving aircraft.

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

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