US Airpower Summary, Jan. 20, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 20, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Jan. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Chahar Bagh
An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper operator provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly ground forces. The pilot observed suspicious activity in the vicinity of friendly forces and requested confirmation of position coordinates. Ground forces confirmed the coordinates and identified the personnel as an enemy with a weapon. After receiving permission to eliminate the threat to friendly forces, the operator engaged using a missile. The weapon was successfully destroyed.

Shurakian
An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper operator provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces. The pilot was tasked to follow a suspicious person in the vicinity of a recent improvised explosive device detonation. When friendly forces attempted to apprehend the person for questioning, he hid in a mosque and then ran from friendly forces. The Reaper pilot observed the person enter a field and attempt to arm an IED before friendly ground forces arrived. Ground forces confirmed the coordinates and after receiving permission to eliminate the threat to friendly forces, the operators engaged using a missile. The target was successfully eliminated.

Morghab
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported a large group of enemy personnel gathered in close proximity to their position. Once coordinates for the enemy position and the suspicious personnel were received, the aircrew released precision-guided munitions and made numerous strafing runs against the target, which eliminated the threat. No further enemy action was noted.

Lashkar Gah
Pilots flying U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier aircraft provided armed reconnaissance for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares expended, over an area as a reminder that airpower was overhead. The show of force was declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

Surkhabad
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots conducted a show of force as directed by ground forces. The show of force, with flares released, was declared successful y ground control.

Kandahar
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy. The pilots were also tasked to perform surveillance to dectect insurgents preparing for an indirect-fire attack. Coalition pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy action in the area. The show of force was declared successful and the pilots resumed convoy-escort duties.

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 80
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 14

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 32
Sorties flown in Iraq: 28
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: 2(NAVY)
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On January 18
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 7 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 43
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.9 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 209

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 135
Short tons of delivered cargo: 621
Passengers: nearly 2,600
Airdropped cargo: nearly 145,000 pounds

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