Wire: Fed, State Dispute Halts US Military Airlifts from Haiti

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning reported that the U.S. military has halted flights carrying Haitian earthquake victims to the United States, apparently in a dispute between federal and state governments over medical care costs.

The Associated Press reported that the evacuations were suspended Wednesday, according to Capt. Kevin Aandahl, spokesman for U.S. Transportation Command. The flights were halted a day after Florida Gov. Charlie Crist asked the federal government to help pay for care.

"There were some critical cases that were recommended stateside facility care or follow-up care," Aandahl said Saturday. "As I understand it, there were some states that were unwilling to approve transportation for that follow-up. We can't fly anyone without an accepting hospital on the other end."

The story was first reported by the New York Times.

AP said Aandahl declined to specify which states declined to accept those patients, and he referred further questions to a Pentagon press office, where an after-hours answering service could not accept incoming messages Saturday.

Florida officials said Saturday that they were not aware of any hospital in Florida refusing to take in the patients. However, in a letter Tuesday to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the governor said "Florida's health care system is quickly reaching saturation, especially in the area of high level trauma care."

Crist asked Sebelius to activate the National Disaster Medical System, which is typically used in domestic disasters and pays for victims' care. His letter does not indicate how much victims' care was costing Florida, though he noted the state's health care system was already stretched by the winter tourism season and annual "snowbird" migration.

In a statement Saturday, Crist said Florida has not stopped helping earthquake victims, noting at least 60 Haitian orphans arrived Friday night at Miami International Airport.

The link below for details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source: US military airlifts of Haiti quake victims halted

OEF Update, Jan. 30, 2010: Operations in Afghanistan

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 30, 2010 -- A joint Afghan-international security force unit received small arms fire from an unknown source while conducting an operation in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, early this morning. The joint patrol returned fire.

Initial post-operational reports indicate the small arms fire originated from an Afghan National Army combat outpost, and the subsequent air support called by the joint force likely killed at least four ANA soldiers.

"As stated in the Afghan Ministry of Defence news release issued earlier today, ISAF and ANA will conduct a joint investigation to determine the facts and circumstances of this unfortunate incident," said MOD spokesman Gen. Azimi.

In other news, an Afghan-international security force searched a compound west of the town of Nakhonay, in the Panjwayee district of Kandahar last night and captured a Taliban commander and other insurgents responsible for planning IED attacks and ambushes against Afghan and coalition forces.

No shots were fired and no Afghan citizens were harmed during the operation.

A joint security force found a weapons cache in the Maiwand district of Kandahar yesterday. The cache contained 50 mortar rounds and 20 car batteries. An ISAF explosive ordnance disposal team is assisting with disposal of the cache.

In the Farah province yesterday, an ISAF patrol found a weapons cache near the village of Ranj-e-Pa. The cache consisted of four artillery rounds, two kilograms of ammonium nitrate, one kilogram of an unknown explosive and IED components. The cache will be destroyed by an EOD team.

Additionally, an ISAF force fired on a vehicle when it failed to heed several warning signs to stop in the Muqor district of Ghazni province yesterday.

Two Afghan civilians were killed and one was injured by the disabling shots fired at the engine block of the vehicle as it approached at a high rate of speed. A fourth civilian in the vehicle was unharmed.

In Kandahar, Jan. 23, ISAF forces provided aid to two 12-year-old children near Khakrez after a bomb they were playing with exploded.

The children were playing near a cell phone tower when one picked up what appeared to be a long yellow piece of trash and threw it on the ground causing it to explode. Both received shrapnel wounds to their legs, eye trauma, and multiple lacerations to the face and hands. The children were treated at an ISAF medical clinic.

The greatest victims of IEDs are Afghan civilians, who suffer four times as many casualties from these devices as international forces do.

(Compiled from NATO International Security Assistance Force news releases.)

Wire: NATO Forces Kill 4, Wound 6 Afghan Troops

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning reported that Afghan officials say NATO troops clashed with their Afghan army allies and called in air strikes, killing four Afghan soldiers and wounding at least six others.

VOA News reported that a Wardak province spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, says the troops starting shooting each other after a military operation in the area.

The Associated Press reported the Afghan Defense Ministry is condemning the incident and wants those responsible brought to justice after an investigation.

NATO officials say they are investigating the incident and did not provide details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Wire: 3 Americans Killed in Afghanistan

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2010 -- Newswire services this afternoon reported that NATO says two U.S. servicemembers and one U.S. employee have been killed in eastern Afghanistan.

A statement says the deaths occurred Friday but gives no details. It says the incident is under investigation and no further information is available at this time.

At least 29 American deaths have been reported in Afghanistan so far this month. That's double the 14 in all of January last year.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Wire: Russia Unveils Top Secret New Fighter

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning reported that Russia on Friday unveiled a new fighter aircraft touted as a rival of the U.S. F-22 and developed amid secrecy as part of a plan to modernize their armed forces.

The French news agency AFP said the fifth generation fighter, manufactured by the Sukhoi company and known as the PAK FA, made a maiden flight of just over 45 minutes at the firm's home base of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the Far East region.

"The flight lasted 47 minutes during which all the aircraft's systems were tested. It was successful," Sukhoi spokeswoman Olga Kayukova told AFP. "This is the first time it has been unveiled."

Pictures broadcast on state television showed the fighter jet -- which has been kept closely under wraps for years -- flying at altitude and then landing on a snow-surrounded runway.

"The aircraft performed well in all stages of the flight programme. It is easy and comfortable to pilot," said Sergei Bogdan, the pilot for the flight, in comments published on the Sukhoi website.

The new jet has the capability of carrying out long flights above the speed of sound as well as simultaneously attacking different targets.

Russia is currently embarking on a major programme to re-equip its military, not least the air force which is still using largely Soviet-era equipment and suffers from frequent crashes.

The new fighter, which has been in development since the 1990s, is due to enter the armed forces in 2015, Russian news agencies said.

See link below for image, additional details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source: Russia unveils top secret new fighter

USS Dwight D Eisenhower Launches First Sorties in Support of OEF

News from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet Combined Maritime Forces.
Dispatches from the Front:

ARABIAN, Sea, Jan. 28, 2010 -- The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group launched its first sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Jan. 28, and assumed duties as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 50.

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 departed the decks of the strike group's flagship, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) bound for the skies over Afghanistan to support coalition ground forces.

"We are the first strike group to deploy in this historic year," said Capt. Roy J. Kelley, Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7. "Our mission is to help the troops on the ground in Afghanistan defeat the insurgency and protect the Afghan people."

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment to the region and will conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO) along with providing support to Operations Enduring Freedom.

"Every individual on the ship contributes to this mission, from the aircrew who the fly missions to the culinary specialists who sustain them," said Kelley. "We all contribute to this mission and support our brethren in arms on the ground."

Eisenhower relieved USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Gulf of Oman on Jan. 25 as part of a normal rotation of forces and marked the end of the Nimitz Strike Group's deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR).

Eisenhower CSG is made up of Commander, CSG 8; the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower (CVN 69), homeported in Norfolk, Va.; Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW) 7; Commander, Destroyer Squadron 28; the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), homeported in Norfolk; and the Mayport, Fla.-based ships, guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) and guided-missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG 64) and USS Farragut (DDG 99).

The squadrons of CVW-7, led by Capt. Roy Kelley, include the "Jolly Rogers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103, the "Pukin' Dogs" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, the "Rampagers" or Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, the "Wildcats" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, the "Patriots" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the "Bluetails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, and the "Nightdippers" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 5.

Eisenhower is supporting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet AOR. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

(From a USS Eisenhower Public Affairs news release.)

US Airpower Summary, Jan. 28, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 28, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Jan. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Balocan
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots responded with cannon-fire strafing runs when friendly forces reported taking enemy small arms fire. The enemy fire ceased immediately.

A-10 pilots were again in the area providing armed overwatch and aerial surveillance for friendly ground forces. The pilots were looking for any suspicious or preemptive enemy movement prior to the friendly forces entering the area. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to continue deterring any enemy movement in the area.

A B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed escort to a large friendly-forces convoy during the night. The aircrew remained overhead during the entire movement. A show of force was conducted midway to deter enemy action.

Asmar
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews released precision-guided munitions on an enemy fighting position to allow friendly forces to break contact with enemy forces. The strike was successful.

Salerno Landing Zone
Air Force F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces and conducted a show of force to deter enemy action. The friendly forces had reported taking enemy small arms fire. The show of force was successful as the enemy fire ceased.

Konduz
The air over Konduz was busy as U.S. Air Force F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch and force protection for friendly forces and Coalition forces in the area. Both friendly and Coalition forces reported taking enemy fire and requested air power to suppress it. The aircrews confirmed points of origin for the enemy fire and released precision-guided munitions against enemy positions. Then, aircrews followed up with strafing runs to finish the mission. Ground forces reported no additional enemy fire.

Lashkar Gah
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces during a town-hall meeting. Pilots observed suspicious activity in a field and conducted a show of force to deter any potential enemy action. The show of force was successful as no enemy action took place.

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: 6
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 22

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 9
Sorties flown in Iraq: 32
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On Jan. 26
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 2 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 35
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 121

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 166
Short tons of delivered cargo: 574
Passengers: nearly 3,100
Airdropped cargo: nearly 125,000 pounds

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

Wire: North Korea Resumes Firing

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning reported that North Korea resumed firing near its sea border with South Korea on Thursday, South Korean media said, citing Seoul officials.

Artillery shells were fired toward South Korean-controlled Yeonpyeong Island, Yonhap News Agency quoted the officials as saying, adding that the shells fell in waters north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto inter-Korean maritime border.

CNN said the North fired artillery shells on Wednesday in the same area, saying they were part of an annual training drill.

"We have confirmed North Korea's firing of several artillery shells, but they did not cross" the two countries' maritime border, said Park Sung-woo, of Seoul's joint chiefs of staff, according to Yonhap. "We are on high military alert."

"Following the firing by North Korea, South Korea responded by shooting Vulcan canons into the air, a statement that it would not be intimidated by saber-rattling by the communist neighbor," Yonhap said.

There were no reports of casualties.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Pentagon Discuses Obama Call for Openly Gay Military

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2010 -- President Barack Obama announced during his State of the Union address last night that he intends to work with Congress and the military during the year ahead to repeal the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.

Obama said he will aim “to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are.”

“It is the right thing to do,” he said.

The president has long advocated allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military, and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters in June that he had directed Defense Department lawyers to explore ways to make the policy more flexible until the law is changed.

The law prohibits officials from inquiring into a servicemember’s sexual orientation in the absence of statements or acts that indicate the servicemember is homosexual, but allows the services to take action against servicemembers who disclose their homosexuality by word or action.

Gates told reporters in June that he had talked with the president about how to work toward his goal of overturning the policy.

“The issue that we face is, How do we begin to do preparations and, simultaneously, the administration move forward in asking the Congress to change the law?” the secretary said.

“What we have is a law, not a policy or regulation,” he said. “And as I discovered when I got into it, it is a very prescriptive law. It doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination or a lot of flexibility. So one of the things we are looking at is, Is there flexibility in how we apply this law?”

Gates cited the example of someone who’s been “outed by a third party,” possibly the result of blackmail or a jilting.

“Does that force us to take an action?” he questioned. “I don’t know the answer to that. I don’t want to pretend to. But that is the kind of thing we are looking at.”

Gates said he believes there’s “at least a more humane way to comply with the law until the law gets changed,” though he acknowledged that what that way might be is up to legal interpretation. “We have general counsel working on it,” he said.

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law has been in effect since 1993. Previously, homosexuals were strictly banned from military service.

(Report by Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service.)

OEF Update, Jan. 28, 2010: Operations in Afghanistan

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 28, 2010 -- An Afghan-international security force searched a vehicle and compound in Kandahar's Ghorak District near the village of Chuni and detained several insurgents.

No shots were fired and no one was injured during the operation.

In another operation an Afghan-international security force discovered a weapons cache in Panjwa'i District of Kandahar province, Jan. 26.

The cache consisted of a rocket-propelled grenade, an antipersonnel mine, a pressure plate, a mortar bi-pod, radios and an AK-47 with a full magazine.

The munitions were destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

Additionally, officials are monitoring a situation outside of Camp Phoenix in Kabul as initial reports indicate a crowd gathered to protest ISAF operations.

Officials said one civilian was killed by ISAF forces this morning during an incident involving an ISAF convoy. The specific details of the incident are not known at this time. convoy. The specific details of the incident are not known at this time; ISAF is conducting an investigation.

"We deeply regret the tragic loss of life that occurred this morning, and extend our most sincere sympathies to the family," said Navy Capt. Jane Campbell, ISAF Joint Command spokesperson.

More details will be released as they become available.

(Compiled from NATO International Security Assistance Force news releases.)

Pentagon: Administration Mulls Military Role in Haiti Beyond Relief

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2010 -- The U.S. government still is figuring out the details of American assistance in Haiti, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said here today, noting that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and President Barack Obama discussed the issue yesterday.

"I think that everybody would say by now that the aid is flowing in a very productive and helpful fashion," Morrell told Pentagon reporters. "But the question now becomes, now that this immediate relief has been provided, what do we want to do from here? What can we do from here?"

Morrell characterized security in Haiti as "stable, but fragile," saying groups displaying unrest are a reflection that aid distribution is an ongoing challenge.

"We have to be mindful of the security climate there," he said. "We have to provide the kind of security that will facilitate a safe, secure flow of food, water, medicine, whatever it may be to the population."

Morrell estimated that U.S. relief efforts to date have cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and said thousands of additional forces are in the pipeline to be sent to Haiti.

"So we envision that there will be a role for the United States military for some time to come in Haiti," he said, adding that the United States is honored to carry out a relief mission in a country it's uniquely positioned to help.

"No one can provide the kinds of assistance we can, and we are happy to be doing it," he said. "It shows the world that obviously we are not a one-dimensional force; we are a force for good and try to provide assistance to those who need it around the world."

U.S. military assistance in Haiti likely is to continue for three to six months before yielding to international and non-government groups as they take on greater responsibility for the massive humanitarian relief effort there, the director of Defense Logistics Agency said yesterday.

"I think there's a commitment to continue to provide support and stay engaged until other organizations can take over the role," Navy Vice Adm. Alan Thompson told the Defense Writers Group.

"My sense would be that probably in the three- to six-month time period would be when there would be efforts to try to transition some of the support," the admiral said.

(Report by John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service.)

US Airpower Summary, Jan. 27, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 27, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Jan. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Asadabad
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and surveillance of known enemy fighting positions. When an imminent threat to friendly forces was observed, a pre-emptive strike on the enemy position with a precision-guided munition ended the threat to the friendly patrol.

Soltani
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch and force protection for friendly forces and conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy action. Later, aircrews observed suspicious personnel and conducted a show of presence to deter enemy action. Both actions were successful and no enemy action was noted in the area.

Morghab
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces when they reported taking enemy fire. After confirming the enemy fighting position along a tree-line, pilots commenced numerous strafing runs to deter and end enemy fire. When friendly forces were ready to withdraw from the area, the aircrew conducted armed overwatch to deter enemy fire and allow friendly forces to leave. The friendly forces returned to base without further incident.

Asmar
U.S. Air Force F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews conducted a show of force to deter enemy fire and protect friendly forces. The show of force was successful.

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 54
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 12

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 7
Sorties flown in Iraq: 31
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: None
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On Jan. 25
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 3 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 37
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 168

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 152
Short tons of delivered cargo: 743
Passengers: nearly 2,800
Airdropped cargo: nearly 165,000 pounds

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

Wire: Reports Say al-Qaeda Seeks WMD, US Unprepared

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2009 -- Newswire services this evening reported that the United States has not done enough to protect the country against the threat of weapons of mass destruction even as al-Qaeda appears intent on staging a large-scale attack.

The French news agency AFP said a bipartisan panel warned that the government had failed to adopt measures to counter the danger posed by extremists using WMD, saying the administration lacked plans for a rapid response to a possible biological attack.

"Nearly a decade after September 11, 2001, one year after our original report, and one month after the Christmas Day bombing attempt, the United States is failing to address several urgent threats, especially bioterrorism," said former senator Bob Graham, chair of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.

He said that Washington no longer had "the luxury of a slow learning curve, when we know Al-Qaeda is interested in bioweapons."

In its "report card," the commission also gave the federal government low marks for failing to recruit a new generation of national security experts and for failing to improve congressional oversight of intelligence and homeland security agencies.

The findings came as a former CIA officer wrote in a report that Al-Qaeda's leaders have been working methodically since the 1990s to secure weapons that could inflict massive bloodshed.

Although other extremists had looked into obtaining such weapons, Al-Qaeda "is the only group known to be pursuing a long-term, persistent and systematic approach to developing weapons to be used in mass casualty attacks," wrote Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, who led the CIA's WMD department.

He acknowledged that the failure to find WMD in Iraq had damaged the US government's credibility and had spread skepticism about the threat posed by Al-Qaeda getting its hands on nuclear, biological or chemical weapons.

"That said, WMD terrorism is not Iraqi WMD," he wrote in the report released by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

He argued that intelligence on Al-Qaeda's activities was much more extensive and reliable than the information about Saddam Hussein's weapons programs.

His report said Al-Qaeda's efforts to develop biological and nuclear weapons were not "empty rhetoric" and that the group's leaders appeared to have ruled out smaller-scale attacks with simpler devices.

"If Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants had been interested in employing crude chemical, biological and radiological materials in small-scale attacks, there is little doubt they could have done so by now," he wrote.

AFP noted that the bipartisan commission on the WMD threat, created by Congress, had said in its initial report in December 2008 that it was "more likely than not" that a terror attack using weapons of mass destruction would be carried out somewhere in the world by the end of 2013.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Wire: South Korea Returns Fire from North

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2010 -- Newswire services this evening reported that South Korea has returned fire after North Korea shot several artillery rounds into waters near a disputed sea border with the South on Wednesday, Yonhap news agency quoted an unnamed military source as saying.

The Reuters news agency said that North Korea on Tuesday declared a no-sail zone in the waters off its west coast, according to media reports in the South.

(Report from newswire sources.)

US Airpower Summary, Jan. 26, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 26, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Jan. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Asadabad
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol. In addition, the aircrews conducted surveillance of the area. When the possibility of an ambush was discovered, a pre-emptive strike on the enemy position with a precision-guided munition eliminated the threat to the friendly patrol.

Chahar Bagh
Air Force MQ-9A Reaper operators provided armed overwatch and force protection for friendly forces. The Reaper operators observed individuals acting suspiciously then fire on friendly forces. Ground forces confirmed the coordinates of the hostile position. Operators fired missiles against the enemy position and the threat to friendly forces was eliminated.

Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews were tasked for surveillance of several known enemy firing positions in the area. When ground forces reported taking sporadic enemy small arms fire, a show of force was conducted and the enemy fire eventually ceased.

Qal-E-Naw
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for friendly forces several times when they reported taking indiscriminant enemy fire. When the friendly forces were ready to evacuate the area, the aircrew conducted a show of force to deter the enemy fire and allow friendly forces to leave without further incident.

Surkhabad
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots were tasked for surveillance of an enemy firing position actively firing mortars on friendly forces. A precision-guided munition was employed on the enemy compound and the enemy fire ceased.

Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When ground forces reported taking indirect enemy fire, a show of force was conducted to deter further enemy fire and protect friendly forces. The show of force was successful.

Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Once the pilots were on station, they received a report of friendly forces taking enemy fire who requested air support. The coalition pilots utilized a precision-guided munition and a strafing run to neutralize the enemy position, eliminating the threat to friendly forces.

Kandahar
Coalition pilots conducted a show of force to deter possible enemy activity. The show of force was declared successful when the no enemy action was noted.

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: 65
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 14

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 31
Sorties flown in Iraq: 26
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On January 24
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 2 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 36
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.0 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 164

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 161
Short tons of delivered cargo: 818
Passengers: nearly 3,500
Airdropped cargo: nearly 245,000 pounds

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

OEF Update, Jan. 26, 2010: Forces Conduct Operations in Afghanistan

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2010 -- An Afghan-international security force searched a compound in a rural area of the Nawa District in Helmand province last night and captured a Taliban IED cell leader responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The assault force also detained a pair of insurgents.

In Kandahar last night, a joint security force searched compounds in west Kandahar City and captured a Taliban facilitator and a group of other insurgents responsible for weapons movement and coordinating assassinations against Afghan citizens.

In Khowst last night, an Afghan-international security force searched a compound north of the village of Khalbesat, in the Wahidullah Bak District after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force captured a pair of insurgents and found multiple media devices, an automatic rifle, a shotgun and explosive ingredients.

In Logar province last night, an Afghan-international security force searched a compound in the village of Shahtut, in the Mohammad Agha district, and detained several insurgents.

In Nangarhar last night, a joint security force searched a compound in a rural area south of the town of Mernlah, in the Khugyani District, and captured a Taliban facilitator with direct ties to several militant Taliban networks and other insurgents.

One militant was killed when he confronted the joint force with an imminent threat.

The search uncovered several illegal weapons, including automatic rifles and grenades.

No Afghan civilians were harmed in any of these operations.

(Compiled from NATO International Security Assistance Force news releases.)

Combat Camera Video: Mountain Patrol in Afghanistan

NOTE: News readers click here to watch the video.

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2010 -- Embedded above is a b-roll video of soldiers on a patrol in Afghanistan to gather information on insurgents. Scenes include various views of soldiers patrolling along rocky pathways, soldiers questioning a local Afghan, soldiers inspecting a weapon found on a Afghan and interviews with soldiers discussing the patrol. (Produced by Senior Airman Jay Hernandez, American Forces Network Afghanistan. Length: 00:04:09.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

USS Eisenhower Relieves USS Nimitz to Continue Support of Afghanistan Operations

News from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet Combined Maritime Forces.
Dispatches from the Front:

GULF OF OMAN, Jan. 26, 2010 -- The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) relieved the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group as Commander, Task Force 50 Jan. 25.

"The Eisenhower Strike Group is ready to support any requirement for troops on the ground in Afghanistan and execute the U.S. Maritime Strategy in the region," said Rear Adm. Phil Davidson, Commander, Eisenhower Strike Group. "The Eisenhower, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, and all the ships in the strike group are committed and ready to continue the superb effort that Nimitz Strike Group carried out to increase security and stability throughout the region."

"The Nimitz has done an amazing job, and the Sailors aboard IKE are trained and ready to fill behind them," said Capt. Dee Mewbourne, Commanding Officer USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. "Taking over from Nimitz, we will continue to improve the security and stability in this part of the world through the outstanding professionalism of our Sailors."

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has operated in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations since Sept. 18. with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 aircraft flying more than 2,600 combat sorties and 15,296 cumulative flight hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

"I am very proud of the Strike Group's support to coalition forces in Afghanistan, our aircraft launched and executed with thoughtful precision, fused to the directives of the supported commander," said Rear Adm. John W. Miller, Commander, Nimitz Strike Group. "I am equally proud of our contribution to counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, protecting critical Iraqi infrastructure in the North Arabian Gulf and the wide range of support provided to ensure maritime security here.

"Through our operations and training in 5th Fleet, we enhanced cooperative relationships with our regional partners who are key to the Maritime Strategy," said Miller.

Ships of the CSG endeavored to create a lawful maritime order by deterring piracy, protecting critical infrastructure and conducting Maritime Security Operations throughout the region.

"Everyone in the Nimitz-CVW 11 team contributed during our time here on the line," said Capt. Paul O. Monger, Nimitz' commanding officer. "We generated a 99.62 percent sortie completion rate for OEF, our aircraft were there for coalition forces on the ground every day - that was due to the collective efforts of everyone on board. We saved lives and helped bring security and stability in the region."

Like Nimitz, Eisenhower will provide 30 percent of the close air support missions flown to protect coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan.

Eisenhower CSG is comprised of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, embarked Carrier Air Wing 7, embarked Destroyer Squadron 28, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Hue City. Ships assigned to DESRON 28 include the destroyers USS Farragut, USS Carney and USS McFaul. These ships will be assigned to tasks forces throughout the region aimed at improving regional and maritime security.

Squadrons from CVW 7 include the "Puking Dogs" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, the "Jolly Rogers" of VFA 103, the "Rampagers" of VFA 83, the "Wildcats" of VFA 131, the "Night Dippers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 5, the "Patriots" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the "Blue Tails" of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW)121 and the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.

Helicopter detachments include the "Proud Warriors" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 and the "Swamp Foxes" of HSL 44.

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

(From a USS Eisenhower and USS Nimitz Public Affairs news release.)

US Airpower Summary, Jan. 25, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 25, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Jan. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Lashkar Gah
Air Force MQ-1B Predator operators provided armed overwatch and force protection for friendly forces. The Predator operators observed an individual acting suspiciously. Ground forces confirmed the person was a suicide bomber with hostile intentions. Operators fired a missile against the enemy position and the threat to friendly forces was eliminated.

Air Force F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots were tasked to destroy a vehicle and a confirmed weapons cache to deter enemy activity. Several precision-guided munitions were released and successfully destroyed the intended targets.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for a coalition forces patrol and friendly ground forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force to deter enemy action in the vicinity of ground forces. Both were declared successful when no further enemy action was noted.

Asadabad
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for coalition forces. An enemy fighting position was observed firing on coalition forces with a machine gun and the aircrews released precision-guided munitions against the enemy position, destroying the position and ending the enemy fire.

A B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrew was directed to conduct a show of force to deter enemy action when friendly forces reported taking enemy fire. The show of force was considered a success when no further enemy aggression was noted.

Mushan
Air Force F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots destroyed an enemy weapons cache and an enemy vehicle with precision-guided munitions.

Surkhabad
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for coalition forces. The pilots conducted shows of force to deter a possible enemy attack. The shows of force, with flares launched, were considered successful when the enemy attack did not occur. Then the pilots provided armed overwatch of the area to deter any other enemy threats.

A-10 pilots provided armed reconnaissance for coalition forces. When coalition forces reported taking enemy small arms fire from a nearby compound, the pilots released a precision-guide munition and conducted a strafing run with cannon fire against the compound and the enemy fire ceased.

Konduz
Air Force F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces under imminent threat of an enemy attack. The pilots conducted shows of force to deter enemy fire on the friendly forces. The shows of force, one with flares launched, were deemed successful when the threat of attack was diffused.

F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to deter anti-Afghan forces in the vicinity of friendly forces. The shows of force succeeded in preventing enemy action.

Remak
Coalition pilots conducted a show of force to deter possible enemy activity. The show of force was declared successful when the no enemy action was noted.

Air Operations in Iraq:

Baghdad
Air Force F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy stopped due to an improvised explosive device. The pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy fire on the convoy and to help locate and capture the enemy IED triggerman. The show of force was deemed successful when no enemy action was reported.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 65
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 18

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 30
Sorties flown in Iraq: 28
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On January 23
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 2 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 45
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.5 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 212

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 165
Short tons of delivered cargo: 978
Passengers: nearly 4,100
Airdropped cargo: nearly 155,000 pounds

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

Wire: 5 US Servicemembers Killed in Afghanistan Over Weekend

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning reported that five U.S. servicemembers have been killed in bombings over the past 24 hours in Afghanistan, NATO's international Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said Sunday.

Two of the servicemembers were killed in a home-made bomb explosion in the country's south, the force said in a statement.

"Two ISAF service members from the United States were killed today in an IED strike in southern Afghanistan," ISAF said, referring to the improvised explosive devices, or roadside bombs, which have been the scourge of foreign troops fighting the Taliban.

The force later announced a third IED death in the south, taking to five the number of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan in past 24 hours.

On Saturday, a roadside bomb also killed two U.S. servicemembers in the same region.

The statements did not disclose the exact location of the incidents.

The French news agency AFG said with the last deaths, 38 foreign soldiers, including 25 Americans, have been killed this year fighting a Taliban insurgency which is at its deadliest since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

The AFP tally is based on that kept by the independent icasualties.org Web site, which tracks military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.

(Report from newswire sources.)