US Airpower Summary, Dec 9, 2009

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 9, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Dec. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Asadabad
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft flew armed overwatch and area reconnaissance for a friendly forces patrol. When insurgents were seen approaching the friendly patrol, a pre-emptive strike with precision guided munitions was authorized. The weapons were released on the enemy force eliminating the threat to the friendly patrol.

Chahar Bagh
Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch and surveillance for friendly forces. The aircraft observed armed enemy forces approaching friendly forces, the enemy element suddenly turned and vanished into a crowd of civilians. Shortly thereafter, the insurgents broke from the crowd and approached the friendly forces again, with weapons visible. Strafing runs were made that eliminated the threat to friendly forces.

Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire, a request for aerial support in the form of a show of force was made. The show of force was considered successful when the enemy fire stopped.

Asmar
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. When anti-Afghan forces were reported firing on the convoy, a show of force was requested and successfully performed (with flares expended) to deter the enemy action. Afterwards, when enemy forces were observed approaching the convoy again, a precision guided munition was released on the enemy position that ended the threat to the friendly convoy. The convoy continued on without incident.

Chahar Bagh
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported receiving enemy small arms fire, a show of force was requested to deter the enemy action. The show of force was successful as the enemy fire ceased and further enemy action was deterred.

bAir Operations in Iraq:

No significant action to report in the last 24 hours.

Air Power Statistics:

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 147
Short tons of delivered cargo: 748
Passengers: nearly 2,700
Airdropped cargo: nearly 300,000 pounds

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 61
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 20

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 09
Sorties flown in Iraq: 25
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On December 07, Air Force HH-60 aircrew and Pararescue Airmen transported 4 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 46
Fuel delivered: nearly 3.0 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 241

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