U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

Courtesy Story

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Oct. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flew armed overwatch in the Asmar area. Friendly forces reported activity of anti-Afghan forces at several known enemy positions and requested air power assistance to deter hostile action. Aircrews confirmed coordinates of the enemy positions and released numerous precision guided munitions destroying the targets. The aircraft continued to search for enemy personnel in the vicinity and to provide ongoing surveillance for friendly forces.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were in the vicinity of Now Zad providing armed overwatch for friendly forces that reported enemy small arms fire. A request for air power assistance was made and a show of force conducted. The show of force was successful in deterring the enemy attack.

Shurakian saw coalition aircraft in the skies providing overwatch for a friendly forces' patrol. A show of force was requested when the patrol started taking indiscriminant fire from enemy forces. The show of force was performed to stop the enemy fire and show the enemy forces there was close air support standing by. The show of force successfully stopped the enemy action.

In the vicinity of Chahar Bagh, Navy F/A-18c Hornet aircraft were providing reconnaissance for enemy activity and armed overwatch for friendly forces. When an active enemy position was observed, a show of force was requested to deter any potential enemy action. The show of force was considered successful.

There were Air Force B-1B Lancer and Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft over head at Asmar providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft were tasked with reconnaissance of the area for suspicious activity and when enemy forces were seen massing for possible attack, precision guided munitions were released to diffuse the situation. To keep the enemy forces moving, a show of force was performed and was considered successful.

At Musa Qala, an MQ-9a Reaper aircraft was providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The Reaper was performing aerial reconnaissance in the area when enemy forces carrying large weapons were observed. The group was then observed entering a compound and attempting setup of the weapon. A request was made to terminate the action and a rocket was fired, disrupting the setup of the weapon. Another enemy compound was noted with suspicious activity and a rocket was fired on that compound ending the suspicious activity.

There were Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon and F-15E aircraft over the city of Asmar providing armed overwatch of friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire, coordinates were confirmed of the points of origin and precision guided munitions were released on the enemy positions. The enemy fire ceased as the positions were destroyed.

Chahar Bagh had Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft in the air providing overwatch for friendly forces. A show of force was requested by the friendly force and was successfully provided.

Coalition aircraft at Lashkar Gah provided friendly forces air power assistance when enemy forces were observed following a friendly forces' patrol. A show of force was conducted and the enemy forces retreated.

In total, 87 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-nine Air Force, Navy and coalition surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In total, 22 close air support missions were flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities, and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities

Twenty-six Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force 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.

U.S. Air Force airlift crews flew 153 airlift sorties; 626 short tons of cargo were delivered; and about 2,800 passengers were transported. This included about 115,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On October 18, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported nine patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue Team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The Pave Hawk transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.

U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 259 receiving aircraft.

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