US Airpower Summary, Oct. 2, 2009: A-10s Silence Enemy Activity

An A-10 Thunderbolt II prepares to make contact with a KC-10 Extender during a refeuling mission. A-10s provide close-air support for both operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Tankers offloaded 3.6 million pounds of fuel Oct.1 to more than 264 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Matt Cook.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 2, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flew armed overwatch in the Asmar area. Friendly forces reported receiving fire and requested shows of force to deter the enemy action. The shows of force were considered successful in deterring enemy activity.

In Sheykhabad, F-15E aircraft provided overwatch for friendly forces. When friendly forces started receiving sporadic enemy fire, a request for air support was made. Several enemy positions were confirmed, and strafing runs were made to eliminate the positions. One enemy position required a precision-guided munition to end the attack from that location. Two additional shows of force were made to deter further potential enemy aggression.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were in the vicinity of Chahar Bagh, providing armed overwatch for friendly ground forces and a convoy when the friendly ground forces reported receiving enemy small-arms fire. The point of origin for the enemy fire was confirmed and marked with a rocket. Aircrews supported the ground forces by conducting strafing runs against the enemy compound. The action was considered successful.

At Balocan, coalition aircraft provided overwatch for a friendly forces' patrol. The aircraft were also conducting reconnaissance for any suspicious activity in the patrol area. When friendly forces came under enemy fire, a show of force was conducted to deter the enemy aggression. The show of force successfully terminated enemy action.

In Sheykhabad, F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft providing armed overwatch for friendly forces in the area. The F-15Es were also tasked to support helicopter operations in the area and when requested provided several shows of force that successfully deterred enemy action.

F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft were also overhead at Farah providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft performed several shows of force in an effort to deter enemy action during an operation and they were considered successful as no enemy action occurred.

Near Shurakian, Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for a coalition forces' convoy in the area. The convoy passed a compound where suspicious activity had been noted earlier. A show of force was requested and was successful in deterring any threatening activity while the convoy passed.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16C aircraft were in the vicinity of Tall Afar when friendly forces requested a show of force. The action successfully deterred enemy aggression and was declared a success.

In total, 86 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Thirty-one Air Force, Navy and coalition intelligence, 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-four 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.

Air Force airlift crews flew 165 airlift sorties; 4,680 short tons of cargo were delivered; and about 3,000 passengers were transported. This included about 110,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 30, Air Force HH-60 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 Pave Hawks 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 57 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 million pounds of fuel to 264 receiving aircraft.

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