US Airpower Summary, Dec. 13, 2009

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 13, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Dec. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Surkhabad
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were providing armed overwatch for coalition forces. When the coalition forces reported taking enemy fire, a request for air power support was made. The enemy fire points of origin were confirmed and passed to the aircraft. Rockets were fired on the coordinates to mark the enemy fighting positions for cannon fire strafing runs and release of precision guided munitions. The precision guided munitions destroyed the enemy positions and allowed the coalition forces to extract themselves from the location.

Oruzgan
Air Force B-1B Lancer and Coalition aircraft were providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces foot patrol and convoy. The convoy reported being hit by an improvised explosive device that disabled a vehicle. Enemy forces were observed massing for possible attack on the disabled vehicle when shows of force were performed to deter any potential enemy action. Then rockets were released on the enemy, all were successful in eliminating a threat to the friendly forces.

Asadabad
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flew armed overwatch for a friendly forces dismounted patrol. When the patrol reported taking enemy small arms fire, precision guided munitions were employed on the enemy position. The enemy position was destroyed and the threat to friendly forces eliminated.

Air Force F-16C aircraft provided armed overwatch and surveillance for friendly forces. The aircraft were requested to observe enemy positions. Coordinates for a possible enemy weapons cache were passed to the aircraft for observation. The aircraft observed enemy forces utilizing this position and requested permission to eliminate the enemy target. Precision guided munitions were released on the site destroying the enemy arms cache.

F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported intermittent small arms fire and requested air power assistance in stopping the enemy fire. Precision guided munitions were released on the enemy positions destroying the positions and stopping the enemy fire.

Chahar Bagh
A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for a friendly forces patrol. When a vehicle in the area was hit with an improvised explosive device and disabled, a show of force to deter any potential enemy action was requested. The show of force was successfully performed when no enemy action as noted against the disabled vehicle.

A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for a friendly forces patrol. When the friendly patrol reported taking enemy fire, shows of force to deter any further enemy action were requested. The shows of force were successfully performed when no enemy action was noted. The aircraft observed an enemy vehicle trailing the friendly patrol and performed another show of force. The show of force successfully deterred any potential enemy action as the enemy vehicle ceased following the friendly patrol.

Sangin
Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch and surveillance for friendly forces. The friendly forces reported unusual enemy activity in the area and requested a show of force to deter potential enemy action. The show of force was successful in preventing enemy action.

Lashkar Gah
Marine AV-8B Harrier aircraft were providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. A show of force was requested when the convoy was to pass by a known enemy fighting position. The show of force (with flares expended) was successful in deterring enemy action in the area.

Soltani
F-16C aircraft provided armed overwatch friendly forces. The friendly forces requested a show of force for reassurance that air power was in the area and to deter any enemy activity. The show of force was successful in deterring any potential enemy action as none 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: 607
Passengers: nearly 4,700
Airdropped cargo: nearly 185,000 pounds

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 67
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 16

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 29
Sorties flown in Iraq: 24
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: none
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On December 11, Air Force HH-60 aircrew and Pararescue Airmen transported 8 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 31
Fuel delivered: nearly 1.9 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 131

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