US Airpower Summary, Nov. 25, 2009

Dispatches from the Front:

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

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Balocan
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flew armed overwatch for friendly forces. When friendly forces reported taking enemy fire, the point of origin for the insurgent fire was confirmed and passed to the aircraft. A precision guided munition was employed on the enemy compound and the threat to friendly forces was eliminated.

Shurakian
Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported receiving enemy small arms fire, air support was requested. The enemy firing point was confirmed in a treeline position. Several precision guided munitions were released on the enemy position destroying the position and stopping the enemy fire.

Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft were providing armed overwatch for coalition forces in the area. When the coalition forces started taking enemy small arms fire, a request for air power support went out. Several shows of force were performed and declared successful as the anti-coalition forces small arms fire ceased.

Asmar
F-15E aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces position reported receiving enemy small arms and mortar fire, a friendly force patrol went outside the wire to determine the points of origin for the enemy fire. Coordinates of the enemy firing points were passed to the aircraft and several precision guided munitions were released on the identified targets. They were successful in ending the enemy fire when the enemy positions were destroyed.

Asadabad
F-15E aircraft conducted armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. A show of force was requested to deter any potential. The show of force was performed and was considered successful when no enemy action was noted.

Salerno
B-1B aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces reported enemy activity in the area then taking enemy small arms fire. They requested a show of force to deter the enemy aggression. The show of force was considered successful in stopping the enemy action.

Musa Qaleh
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported enemy activity in the area, a show of force was requested. Coordinates for the show of force were passed to the aircraft and the show of force performed. It was successful in deterring enemy action in the area.

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: 153
Short tons of delivered cargo: 642
Passengers: nearly 3,900
Airdropped cargo: nearly 160,000 pounds

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 69
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 28

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 25
Sorties flown in Iraq: 24
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: 2 (USN)
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On Nov. 23, Air Force HH-60 aircrew and Pararescue Airmen transported 16 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 40
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.8 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 197

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