US Airpower Summary, Aug. 12, 2009: B-1Bs Strike Enemy Forces

A B-1B Lancer departs on a mission. The B-1B can deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons rapidly against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Miller.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Aug. 12, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Aug. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Asadabad. Friendly forces reported being hit by small arms fire. The coalition aircraft released precision guided munitions on several enemy positions, confirmed in a tree line, to deter the enemy action. The bombing was deemed successful after the enemy positions were destroyed.

Air Force B-1B Lancers were providing armed overwatch near Surkhabad when they were requested to provide armed intervention against enemy forces. Small arms fire was being used against friendly forces and a show of force ended the enemy action. An enemy position was confirmed in a building and precision guided munitions were used to eliminate the position.

Near Shurakian, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested a show of force to deter enemy action. The A-10s were successful in stopping the enemy action with the show of force.

Air Force MQ-1B Predators near the town of Gereshk provided air coverage for a friendly force's convoy struck by improvised explosive device and receiving enemy mortar fire. The aircraft fired a missile on the enemy position ending the mortar fire.

Coalition aircraft flew armed overwatch for a friendly force's convoy at Sheykhabad. When the convoy came into the vicinity of a known enemy force's massing point, the aircraft provided a show of force to deter enemy action on the convoy.

Lashkar Gah saw several shows of force after a friendly force's patrol was struck with an improvised explosive device. The shows of force allowed the friendly forces to reclaim damaged vehicle and treat wounded personnel. The action also allowed for a medevac team to extract the wounded.

In the vicinity of Kandahar, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported receiving small arms fire, the aircraft successfully employed strafing runs to deter the enemy action.

Asadabad saw Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft work with friendly forces to eliminate enemy positions that were firing on friendly forces. The enemy positions were confirmed to be caves on a hillside. The enemy positions were taken out with precision guided munitions.

Outside the town of Asadabad, B-1B aircraft provided a successful show of force for friendly forces to deter enemy action against a convoy when a vehicle became stuck in a riverbed crossing area. The aircraft then continued to provide armed overwatch.

Coalition aircraft at Shinkay were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces when a call to provide a show of force was received. The show of force was successful in deterring enemy action.

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 70 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-eight Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

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

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown; 675 short tons of cargo were delivered; and about 2,800 passengers were transported. This included about 165,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On August 10, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 10 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.

U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 172 receiving aircraft.

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

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