US Airpower Summary, Feb. 24, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 24, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Feb. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support

Konduz, Regional Command-North
U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots and F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces and several friendly convoys. Friendly ground forces reported taking enemy small-arms fire and requested shows of force to prevent further enemy aggression. The shows of force, with flares launched, were performed over enemy positions and deemed successful when desired effects were achieved.

Asadabad, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-15E aircrews conducted shows of force in support of a friendly-forces ground operation. The shows of force were declared successful.

Karbala, RC-S
U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares, to support a friendly-forces ground operation. The show of force was deemed successful.

Chahar Bagh, RC-S
U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews conducted a show of force. The show of force was declared successful.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided reconnaissance support over several convoy routes and later conducted an armed overwatch mission for a friendly-forces convoy. A show of force was conducted to deter potential enemy activity in the area of the convoy routes and was declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews conducted a show of force, launching a flare. The show of force was deemed successful.

Qalat, RC-S
A B-1B aircrew provided reconnaissance support for friendly forces and conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy activity in the area. The show of force was declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, which was declared successful.

Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, over the convoy to deter potential enemy action in the vicinity of the convoy. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was noted.

Surkhabad, RC-S
A B-1B aircrew provided reconnaissance support and conducted shows of force to deter a possible enemy attack against friendly ground forces in the area. The shows of force, with flares launched, were declared successful when no enemy action was noted. The aircrew later provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces infiltration and extraction operation.

Airlift Action

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 to sustain ground operations.

Badghis Province, RC-W
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 18,000 pounds of supplies.

Konar Province, RC-E
U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrews flew a combat-resupply mission in Konar Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 30,000 pounds of 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: 80
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 16

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 36
Sorties flown in Iraq: 29

On Feb. 22
Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 145
Short tons of delivered cargo: 788
Passengers: nearly 3,200
Airdropped cargo: approximately 120,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 44
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.6 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 200

Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 9 patients
Sorties flown to support OEF: 8
Sorties flown to support OIF: 1
Personnel Recovery/Hero Flight: None

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