US Airpower Summary, Feb. 10, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 10, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support

Lashkar Gah, Regional Command- South
A coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft conducted several reconnaissance missions for friendly ground forces. When insurgents approached friendly forces and fired, the aircraft fired a missile and stopped insurgent fire against friendly forces.

Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force in order to deter enemy action while a group of friendly forces tactically withdrew from the area. A short time later, pilots conducted another show of force when friendly forces came under fire during the withdrawal. The shows of force were declared successful when friendly forces left the area without further incident.

Balocan, RC-S
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted shows of force, with flares, that were determined successful by ground control.

Airlift Action

Helmand province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 30,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Konar province, RC-E
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Konar province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 30,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Helmand province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a second combat-sustainment mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, airdropping nearly 35,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Uruzgan province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 15,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Paktika province, RC-E
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Paktika province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 70,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Uruzgan province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, airdropping nearly 36,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

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: 78
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 16

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 42
Sorties flown in Iraq: 28

On Feb. 8
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 15 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 34
Fuel delivered: nearly 1.7 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 143

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 145
Short tons of delivered cargo: 833
Passengers: nearly 2,700
Airdropped cargo: nearly 215,000 pounds

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