US Airpower Summary, Feb. 4, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 4, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Feb. 3, 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 over the area. When insurgents approached friendly forces, the aircraft fired a missile to stop the insurgent advance against friendly forces.

U.S. Marine AV-8B Harrier pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with numerous flares launched, in order to deter enemy action when a group of insurgents were observed gathering for an attack directed against friendly forces. The show of force was declared successful when the insurgents dispersed without further incident.

Malek Din, RC-S
Coalition pilots were directed to destroy two HumVees that had been damaged and disabled in an earlier engagement so that the vehicles would not fall into enemy hands. The pilots rolled in on the targets and precision-guided munitions were released which rendered the vehicles useless to enemy forces.

Musa Qala, RC-S
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews conducted shows of force to deter enemy fire. The shows of force were declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

Airlift Action

Paktika province, RC-E
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Paktika province, Afghanistan, airdropping combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces. Approximately 70,000 pounds of supplies were dropped.

Helmund province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Helmund Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 32,500 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Afghanistan
A U.S. Air Force C-130 aircrew distributed informational leaflets via airdrop to locations across Afghanistan.

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: 81
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 20

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 16
Sorties flown in Iraq: 25
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On Feb. 2
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 6 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 44
Fuel delivered: nearly 3.1 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 218

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 164
Short tons of delivered cargo: 746
Passengers: nearly 3,500
Airdropped cargo: nearly 105,000 pounds

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