US Airpower Summary, Dec. 12, 2009

Dispatches from the Front:

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

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Bagram
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Shows of force were requested to deter potential enemy action. The shows of force were considered successful when no enemy action was noted.

Mata Khan
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. A show of force was requested to deter enemy action when enemy personnel were reported firing on the friendly convoy. The show of force (with numerous flares expended) was considered successful when no further enemy action was noted.

Asadabad
F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. When suspicious enemy activity was noted at an enemy fighting position, precision guided munitions were released on the target coordinates and on enemy reinforcements arriving at the enemy fighting position. The action deterred any potential enemy action as the convoy passed by.

Qarah Bagh
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Shows of force were requested to deter enemy action when enemy personnel were observed gathering in force at known enemy fighting positions. The shows of force were considered successful when the enemy forces dispersed and no further 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: 142
Short tons of delivered cargo: 568
Passengers: nearly 3,400
Airdropped cargo: nearly 200,000 pounds

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 54
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 18

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 25
Sorties flown in Iraq: 25
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On December 10, Air Force HH-60 aircrew and Pararescue Airmen transported 7 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 42
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.5 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 155

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