US Airpower Summary, Nov. 16, 2009

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 16, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations November 15 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Asadabad
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flew armed overwatch for friendly forces and a medical evacuation. A call for precision guided munitions was made for destruction of a known enemy fighting position when the friendly forces came under enemy small arms fire. The precision guided munitions were released on the target after the coordinates had been confirmed and area was clear of non-combatants. The enemy fighting position was destroyed. F-15 aircrews performed overwatch during the extraction by the medevac team.

F-15E aircraft were over the city later performing armed overwatch for friendly forces. A show of force was requested to deter any potential enemy aggression in the area. The sow of force was considered successful when no enemy aggression was noted.

Surkhabad
Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces patrol. When the patrol reported taking enemy small arms fire, air power assistance was called in. Coordinates for the point of origin for the enemy fire were passed to the aircraft and a precision guided munition released. The enemy position was destroyed.

Musa Qala
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft were also providing reconnaissance of the area. When the friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire, the coordinates of the enemy compound were passed to the aircraft and several strafing runs were made. When the strafing runs were unsuccessful in suppressing the enemy fire a precision guided munition was released on the enemy fighting position which terminated the enemy fire and destroyed the compound.

Lashkar Gah
Coalition aircraft conducted armed overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces reported receiving enemy rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire and requested air interdiction to terminate the enemy action. The points of origin for the enemy fire were confirmed and coordinates passed to the aircraft. A show of force was performed that reduced the enemy fire enough for the friendly forces to break the enemy contact and leave the area.

Navy F/A-18C aircraft were providing armed overwatch for coalition forces. The aircraft were tasked to perform several show of force to deter any potential enemy actions while the Coalition forces were in the town clearing known enemy compounds. The shows of force were considered successful when no enemy small arms fire or other activity was noted.

Sangin
B-1B aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported taking enemy fire a show of force was performed and the enemy fire stopped.

Oruzgan
B-1B aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported being hit with enemy fire and the coordinates confirmed, a precision guided munition was released on the enemy position. The threat to the friendly forces was terminated as the enemy position was destroyed.

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: 143
Short tons of delivered cargo: 512
Passengers: nearly 3,400
Airdropped cargo: nearly 90,000 pounds

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 84
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 24

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 26
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 14, Air Force HH-60 aircrew and Pararescue Airmen transported 8 patient

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 48
Fuel delivered: nearly 3.3 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 263

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