US Airpower Summary, Aug. 25, 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, Aug. 25, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Aug. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft responded to a strike call at Moqor. Friendly forces identified and confirmed an enemy position with personnel. A-10s engaged the positions with cannon fire and eliminated them.

Kandahar saw A-10s in the area providing protection to friendly forces hit with an improvised explosive device. The A-10s executed a show of force and expended flares to deter enemy aggression on the damaged vehicle.

Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft were seen in the vicinity of Chahar Bagh providing armed overwatch for a friendly force's patrol that was taking small arms fire from enemy forces. A show of force, expending flares, was successful in ending the enemy aggression.

In the vicinity of Balocan, an MQ-9A Reaper observed armed enemy forces and received permission to engage the enemy. Precision guided munitions were used on the target and the mission was successfully completed.

Air Force F-16C+ Fighting Falcons were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces near Asmar when anti-coalition forces began firing on friendly forces with small arms fire from a sniper position. Aircrews employed a precision guided munition on the sniper position and ended the enemy action.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed a show of force in the area of Asmar. The show of force deterred enemy action in the area.

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

In total, 82 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In total, 22 close air support missions were flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities, and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities

Twenty-seven 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.

U.S. Air Force airlift crews flew 148 airlift sorties; 430 short tons of cargo were delivered; and about 2,900 passengers were transported. This included about 102,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 23, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 20 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

U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 57 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 million pounds of fuel to 294 receiving aircraft.

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

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