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. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flew armed overwatch in the Konduz area. Friendly forces reported suspicious activity of anti-Afghan forces and requested air power assistance to deter hostile action. Aircrews confirmed coordinates of the enemy positions and released a precision guided munition toward the targets. The aircraft continued to search for enemy personnel in the vicinity and to provide ongoing surveillance for friendly forces.

Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft were in the vicinity of Asmar providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft also provided reconnaissance of the area looking for suspicious activity in and around several known enemy positions. When suspicious activity was observed, a precision guided munition was released and the action ceased.

Asadabad saw Air Force F-15E strike Eagle aircraft in the skies providing overwatch for an Afghan national army convoy. As the convoy neared a known enemy position, a show of force was requested to deter any potential enemy action. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was observed.

In the vicinity of Orguzgan, A-10 aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. When friendly forces started receiving accurate enemy sniper fire, the coordinates for the point of origin were passed to the aircraft and a precision guided munition and cannon fire strafing run were employed on the position and the threat eliminated. A show of force, with flares released, was then conducted to continue deterrence of any enemy action.

Chahar Bagh saw Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft in the skies providing overwatch for friendly forces. A known enemy position was observed to have suspicious activity and a show of force was called in. The show of force was successful as no further enemy activity was observed.

Near Asadabad, Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces' convoy. They were providing reconnaissance ahead of the convoy for any possible improvised explosive device emplacers and activity along the route. A show of force was requested over the site of a helicopter incident to deter any possible enemy action. The show of force was then conducted and successfully deterred any enemy action.

Coalition aircraft were in the vicinity of Surkhabad providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. A show of force was requested and provided, with no flares released. The show of force was considered successful.

In total, 82 close air support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Thirty-three 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, 24 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-eight 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 149 airlift sorties; 578 short tons of cargo were delivered; and about 3,200 passengers were transported. This included about 35,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Oct. 20, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 11 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 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 222 receiving aircraft.

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