US Airpower Summary, July 30, 2009: F-16s Strike Enemy Positions

F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flying in a two man formation, launch electronic countermeasure flares, following an aerial refueling mission over Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott Reed.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 30, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Asadabad, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch for friendly forces engaged in a vehicle recovery operation. Enemy sniper fire forced friendly forces to call for airpower assistance. The F-16s responded by dropping precision guided munitions on the enemy position. Friendly forces were able to complete the mission under air cover.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at Balocan provided support for friendly forces that received rocket-propelled grenade attacks from enemy forces. After several shows of force the small-arms fire ceased.

A friendly forces convoy requested air support from Navy F/A-18C Hornets that were providing armed overwatch at Tarin Kowt. The convoy reported RPG attacks and small-arms fire. The Hornets provided several shows of force and expended numerous flares. A-10s were also in the vicinity providing support to friendly forces. The Air Force aircraft destroyed several anti-Afghan force positions with precision guided munitions and cannon fire. Coalition airpower stopped the enemy attacks.

In the vicinity of Asadabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces came under enemy small-arms fire the Strike Eagles demonstrated several shows of force expending flares as required. They also destroyed several enemy positions with precision guided munitions after the enemy was positively identified at each location.

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

In total, 83 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

Nine 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 35 airlift sorties were flown; 929 tons of cargo were delivered; and 1,791 passengers were transported. This included about 105,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo air-dropped over Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in the theater of operations.

On July 28, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported six 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 Pave Hawk 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 tankers flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 178 receiving aircraft.

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

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