US Airpower Summary, Jan. 27, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 27, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Jan. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Asadabad
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and surveillance of known enemy fighting positions. When an imminent threat to friendly forces was observed, a pre-emptive strike on the enemy position with a precision-guided munition ended the threat to the friendly patrol.

Soltani
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch and force protection for friendly forces and conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy action. Later, aircrews observed suspicious personnel and conducted a show of presence to deter enemy action. Both actions were successful and no enemy action was noted in the area.

Morghab
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces when they reported taking enemy fire. After confirming the enemy fighting position along a tree-line, pilots commenced numerous strafing runs to deter and end enemy fire. When friendly forces were ready to withdraw from the area, the aircrew conducted armed overwatch to deter enemy fire and allow friendly forces to leave. The friendly forces returned to base without further incident.

Asmar
U.S. Air Force F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews conducted a show of force to deter enemy fire and protect friendly forces. The show of force was successful.

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 54
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 12

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 7
Sorties flown in Iraq: 31
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: None
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On Jan. 25
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 3 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 37
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 168

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 152
Short tons of delivered cargo: 743
Passengers: nearly 2,800
Airdropped cargo: nearly 165,000 pounds

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