Airpower Summary for May 24

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.27.2010

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central           

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

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Lashkar Gah, Regional Command - South
U.S. Air Force MQ-1B Predator operators provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Operators observed enemy forces firing rocket-propelled grenades and received ground controllers' permission to engage when enemy forces moved to a location away from structures. After enemy forces moved to a safe location and fired another RPG, operators released a missile and eliminated a threat to friendly forces.

Sheykhabad, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported taking harassing enemy fire so pilots conducted a show of presence to deter enemy action. No further enemy action was noted.

Gereshk, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol. The aircrew conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy activity after friendly forces reported enemy fire. Ground controllers declared the actions successful when enemy fire ceased and the friendly patrol relocated.

Ghazni, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted shows of force and released a precision-guided munition against an enemy vehicle with a mortar team inside.

Abchakan, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan forces activity, which ground controllers declared successful. Later, U.S. Air Force F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch when a Coalition convoy encountered an improvised explosive device. The pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, over the convoy to deter enemy action in the area. Ground controllers declared these actions successful also.

Asadabad, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan forces activity. Ground controllers reported the action successful.

Chahar Bagh, RC-E
Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews conducted a show of force, which ground controllers declares successful.

Orgun-E, RC-E
U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for Coalition forces. Pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy action. Ground controllers reported the show of force successful.

Marjeh, RC-S
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces ground troops. Pilots conducted a show of force, with a flare launched, when the patrol reported enemy fire. The show of force was determined successful by ground controllers when no further enemy fire was noted and friendly forces were able to maneuver to another position.

Farah, RC-W
U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted a show of force, which was determined successful by ground controllers when no enemy fire occurred.


Airlift Action

Badghis Province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew and U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew combat-airdrop missions in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 128,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Oruzgan Province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 70,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Zabul, RC-W
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 70,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.


Air Operations in Iraq:

Nothing significant to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 85
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 18

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 52
Sorties flown in Iraq: 25

On May 23
Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 198
Short tons of delivered cargo: 599
Passengers: approximately 4,900
Airdropped cargo: approximately 268,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 49
Fuel delivered: approximately 3.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 217

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty Evacuation -- Air Force Rescue Airmen transported 17 patients
Saves: 6
Assists: 11
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 26
Sorties flown to support OIF: 0

• Date Taken: 05.27.2010
• Date Posted: 05.27.2010 13:08
• Story ID: 50365
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)