US Airpower Summary, July 16, 2009: Reaper Provides Topcover

An armed MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle taxis down a runway in Afghanistan. During operations July 15, a Reaper released several guided bomb unit-12's on possible improvised explosive devices located in a roadway near Qalat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 16, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Qalat, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper released several guided bomb unit-12's on possible improvised explosive devices located in a roadway. This action eliminated any possible imminent threat to friendly forces and civilian forces.

At Asadabad, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II's strafed an enemy position and destroyed it. The enemy position was firing rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire on coalition forces.

Several A-10's at Asadabad rolled in to provide cover for friendly forces taking RPG fire. They destroyed the enemy fighting position by strafing the position with cannon fire.

Asmar saw several A-10's execute a show of force in the vicinity of coalition forces. The enemy forces withdrew after the aircraft arrived on scene.

After a friendly force convoy started taking small-arms fire in an ambush near Orgun-E, A-10's carried out shows of force over the suspected enemy position. Friendly ground forces reported that the shooting stopped following strafing runs on the enemy position. Armed overwatch was continued after a vehicle in the convoy was struck by an IED.

A-10's flying over Gardez conducted a show of force on an enemy position preventing friendly forces from coming under small-arms fire.

Qalat saw action as Navy F/A-18C Hornets flew a show of force, ensuring there was no small-arms fire from enemy forces, after a coalition force's convoy lead vehicle struck an IED.

In the vicinity of Balocan, F/A-18's expended flares in a show of force when several suspicious individuals began firing on coalition forces. This show of force stopped the small-arms fire.

Qalat saw action as coalition aircraft flew a show of force for a friendly convoy departing its position ensuring there was no small-arms fire from enemy forces.

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

In total, 76 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 22 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. 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 150 airlift sorties were flown, 804 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,997 passengers were transported. This included about 75,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On July 14, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported seven 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 aerial refueling crews flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 210 receiving aircraft.

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

Tags: DOD, Military, War, United States, U.S., al Qaeda, al Qaida, GWOT, terrorism, Taliban, Open Thread, Headlines, Dispatches from the Front
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Buzz, Tension