Airpower Summary for Dec. 9, 2008

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

12.09.2008

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

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By the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs Office

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

In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator used a hellfire missile against anti-coalition members who were observed digging and emplacing improvised explosive devices alongside a road in the vicinity of Bolocan. The mission was confirmed a success by the Joint Terminal Attack Controller.

In the vicinity of Lashkar Gah, Navy F/A-18A Hornets conducted shows of force to deter a group of suspicious people gathering near a coalition checkpoint. The JTACs declared the missions successful.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed shows of force and expended flares to deter enemy activities against a coalition convoy in the vicinity of Worzhanah Kalay. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

In the vicinity of Asmar, an A-10 performed a show of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-Afghan forces from firing at Afghan national army forces conducting operations in the area. The JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

An F-15E conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activities around the wadi near Mata Khan. The mission was reported a success by the JTAC.

In the vicinity of Bagram, an A-10 performed a show of force and provided convoy escort to deter anti-Afghan forces in the area. The JTAC declared the mission successful.

In total, 70 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seventeen Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition forces patrol conducting raid operations of suspected anti-coalition members in the vicinity of Baghdad. The JTACs confirmed the missions successful.

In the vicinity of Qalat Salih, F-16s performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch for coalition ground forces who had apprehended an improvised explosive device emplacer and were searching for an accomplice that had fled the area. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 40 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Twenty-seven Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 120 airlift sorties were flown; more than 420 tons of cargo were delivered; and nearly 3,700 passengers were transported. This included approximately 33,000 pounds of troop re-supply that was air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Dec. 8, U.S. Air Force and coalition aerial refueling crews flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 261 receiving aircraft.