US Airpower Summary, Aug. 6, 2009: A-10s Provide Overwatch for Coalition Forces

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies over Afghanistan. The A-10 is deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Aug. 6, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations August 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Asmar. Strafing runs were requested on enemy positions to deter any enemy action and deemed successful after completion. An enemy mortar position was identified, confirmed and destroyed by precision guided munitions eliminating potential threats to friendly forces.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were providing armed overwatch near Chahar Bagh when requested to eliminate an enemy position that had been identified as actively engaging friendly forces for several days. The enemy position was sought out by precision guided munitions and destroyed.

Near Khowst, F-16 Fighting Falcons were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested an imminent threat neutralized. An F-16 deployed a precision guided munition that effectively destroyed the enemy position.

At Asadabad, F-15Es were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested air support against anti-Afghan forces. The F-15Es executed strafing runs on the enemy fighting position eliminating the threats.

F-15Es near the town of Gardez provided a successful show of force for coalition forces to deter enemy small arms fire. The aircraft then continued to provide armed overwatch.

F-15Es were providing armed overwatch again at Asadabad when friendly forces requested assistance to deter anti-Afghan force's activity in the local area. The F-15Es dropped precision guided munitions on the enemy. The mission was considered successful when anti-Afghan forces ceased fire on friendly forces.

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

In total, 78 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 Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 20 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-three 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 intratheater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 152 airlift sorties were flown, 525 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,000 passengers were transported. This included about 113,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 4, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported nine 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-60Gs 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 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 240 receiving aircraft.

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

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