US Airpower Summary, Feb. 9, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 9, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support

Bagram, Regional Command-East
U. S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter anti-Afghan forces activity.

Chahar Bagh, RC-S
U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for coalition ground forces. When coalition forces reported taking enemy small-arms fire from several directions, the aircrews received coordinates for multiple enemy positions and conducted shows of force over each one to deter enemy action. The shows of force were determined successful by ground control when enemy fire ceased.

Kabul, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter anti-Afghan forces activity. The show of force was declared successful by ground control when no enemy fire occurred.

Airlift Action

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

Farah Province, RC-W
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Farah province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 69,000 pounds of sustainment supplies via airdrop to friendly forces for ongoing operations.

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: 42
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 24

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 26
Sorties flown in Iraq: 23
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On Feb. 7
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 2 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 32
Fuel delivered: nearly 1.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 100

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 129
Short tons of delivered cargo: 703
Passengers: nearly 3,600
Airdropped cargo: nearly 70,000 pounds

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