US Airpower Summary, Feb. 2, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 2, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support

Balocan, Regional Command-South
U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol. Friendly forces requested air support when an enemy position opened fire with small arms. Once coordinates for the enemy position were received, pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, against the target, which stopped the enemy fire. No further enemy action was noted.

Jalalabad, RC-E
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch and force protection for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter any potential enemy fie during a helicopter operation. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was noted.

Mushan, RC-S
U.S. Navy F/A-18C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy fire. The show of force, with flares launched, was successful as no enemy action was noted.

Airlift Action

Ghazni Province, RC-E
An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrews flew a combat-resupply mission in the Ghazni province, Afghanistan, dropping to friendly forces on the ground. Approximately 34,500 pounds of supplies were airdropped.

Zabul Province, RC-S
A C-130 aircrew flew a combat-sustainment mission in Zabul province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 27,600 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

An Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission to a remote location in Zabul province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 32,500 pounds of needed supplies to friendly forces.

A C-17 aircrew airdropped approximately 32,500 pounds of supplies to friendly forces during on a combat-resupply mission to another remote location in Zabul province, Afghanistan.

Air Operations in Iraq:

Mosul
Pilots of U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft conducted a show of force over a convoy they were escorting when suspicious personnel began to surround the convoy vehicles. The show of force was successful in stopping the crowd, which dispersed from the area leaving the convoy to continue its mission.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 87
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 24

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 32
Sorties flown in Iraq: 8
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: None
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On Jan. 31
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 4 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 43
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.6 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 220

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 172
Short tons of delivered cargo: 847
Passengers: nearly 3,800
Airdropped cargo: nearly 130,000 pounds

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