US Airpower Summary, Dec. 10, 2009

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 10, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Dec. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Asmar
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. A show of force was requested to deter enemy action when personnel were observed acting suspiciously along a road. 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: 116
Short tons of delivered cargo: 622
Passengers: nearly 3,300
Airdropped cargo: nearly 80,000 pounds

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 15
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 26

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 8
Sorties flown in Iraq: 27
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: 2 (USN)
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On December 08, Air Force HH-60 aircrew and Pararescue Airmen transported 3 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 38
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.7 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 201

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