US Airpower Summary, Jan. 28, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 28, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Jan. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Balocan
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots responded with cannon-fire strafing runs when friendly forces reported taking enemy small arms fire. The enemy fire ceased immediately.

A-10 pilots were again in the area providing armed overwatch and aerial surveillance for friendly ground forces. The pilots were looking for any suspicious or preemptive enemy movement prior to the friendly forces entering the area. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to continue deterring any enemy movement in the area.

A B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed escort to a large friendly-forces convoy during the night. The aircrew remained overhead during the entire movement. A show of force was conducted midway to deter enemy action.

Asmar
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews released precision-guided munitions on an enemy fighting position to allow friendly forces to break contact with enemy forces. The strike was successful.

Salerno Landing Zone
Air Force F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces and conducted a show of force to deter enemy action. The friendly forces had reported taking enemy small arms fire. The show of force was successful as the enemy fire ceased.

Konduz
The air over Konduz was busy as U.S. Air Force F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch and force protection for friendly forces and Coalition forces in the area. Both friendly and Coalition forces reported taking enemy fire and requested air power to suppress it. The aircrews confirmed points of origin for the enemy fire and released precision-guided munitions against enemy positions. Then, aircrews followed up with strafing runs to finish the mission. Ground forces reported no additional enemy fire.

Lashkar Gah
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces during a town-hall meeting. Pilots observed suspicious activity in a field and conducted a show of force to deter any potential enemy action. The show of force was successful as no enemy action took place.

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: 6
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 22

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 9
Sorties flown in Iraq: 32
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On Jan. 26
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 2 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 35
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 121

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 166
Short tons of delivered cargo: 574
Passengers: nearly 3,100
Airdropped cargo: nearly 125,000 pounds

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