US Airpower Summary, Nov. 12, 2009

Dispatches from the Front:

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

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Chahar Bagh
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces patrols and a convoy. When suspicious activity was observed at a known enemy fighting position, precision guided munitions were utilized to eliminate the threat to the friendly forces.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for a Coalition forces patrol. Activity at an enemy position was observed and a show of force was requested to deter any potential enemy action. The show of force was considered successful when no enemy action was noted.

Tarin Kowt
Air Force MQ-9A Reaper aircraft flew armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. The aircraft provided route surveillance for the convoy and when the convoy reported receiving enemy mortar fire, the point of origin was observed and precision guided munitions and a missile were released on the enemy target eliminating the threat to friendly forces.

Konduz
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft conducted armed overwatch for friendly forces and a convoy. When enemy activity was observed at an enemy fighting position, air power was called in to intervene. Shows of force were demonstrated and were successful in deterring any enemy action.

Lashkar Gah
Coalition aircraft provided area reconnaissance for friendly forces. A request for a show of force was made to continue suppression of enemy action. The show of force was considered successful when no enemy action was noted.

Air Operations in Iraq:
No significant action to report in the last 24 hours.

Air Power Statistics:

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 154
Short tons of delivered cargo: 542
Passengers: nearly 4,400
Airdropped cargo: nearly 75,000 pounds

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 86
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 22

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 29
Sorties flown in Iraq: 26
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: 2 (USN)
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On November 10, Air Force HH-60 aircrew and Pararescue Airmen transported 4 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 53
Fuel delivered: 3.7 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 295

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