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 October 30 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Surkhabad
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flew armed overwatch for friendly forces when units reported sporadic enemy fire and requested air power assistance. Shows of force were performed and the enemy fire briefly stopped. When the enemy fire became more focused, aircrews confirmed coordinates of the enemy positions and released a precision guided munition on the target terminating all enemy action. 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 providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces patrol. The patrol passed coordinates for an enemy site that had been setting up to ambush the patrol when that patrol route was utilized, precision guided munitions were employed on the position and the threat eliminated.

Tarin Kowt
An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper aircraft provided 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 enemy spotter position was eliminated.

Landar
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided overwatch for a friendly dismounted patrol and helicopter escort. As the patrol neared a known enemy position, a show of force was requested to deter any potential enemy action. The show of force, with flares expended, was successful as no enemy action was observed.

Chahar Bagh
Navy F/A-18A Hornet aircraft in the skies providing overwatch for friendly forces. As soon as the aircraft were on station, they were requested to perform a show of force. The show of force, with flares expended, was successfully performed.

Qarah Bagh
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces reported receiving enemy indirect mortar fire and requested a show of force to deter the enemy action. The show of force was conducted and successfully deterred further enemy action.

Gereshk and Kandahar
Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft were providing overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft provided reconnaissance of the area looking for suspicious activity in and around several known enemy positions. Aircrews performed a show of force when enemy mortar fire was observed, the aircrews successfully ended enemy action.

Air Operations in Iraq:

Al Kufah
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft were in action at providing overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft provided a show of force that was declared successful.

Air Power Statistics:

Air Mobility
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 141
Short tons of delivered cargo: 649
Passengers: nearly 4,900
Airdropped cargo: nearly 70,000 pounds

Close Air Support
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 82
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 22

Surveillance & Reconnaissance
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 32
Sorties flown in Iraq: 24
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: 2 (USN)
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation
On October 29, Air Force HH-60 aircrew and Pararescue Airmen transported 10 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 48
Fuel delivered: 3.3 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 226

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