Airpower Summary: December 21
Release Number: 271209
12/22/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations December 21 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
Air Operations in Afghanistan:
Sangin
Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for Coalition forces. When the Coalition forces reported taking enemy rocket-propelled grenade fire, a request for air power support was made. The point of origin for the anti-Coalition forces fire was confirmed and passed to the aircraft and a precision guided munition was released, destroying the enemy position and ending the enemy fire.
Kandahar
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces operation. When enemy forces were observed about to engage the friendly forces, a request to deter the enemy action was made. Precision guided munitions were released on the enemy position, eliminating the threat to friendly forces.
Later, Coalition aircraft were on patrol, searching for improvised explosive device emplacers. Personnel were observed digging in a suspicious area and a show of force was requested to deter any potential threatening action. The show of force was performed with no visible effect to possible emplacers and after further observation it was thought they might be working on irrigation system for crops.
Musa Qala
A-10 aircraft flew armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported taking enemy small arms fire, shows of force were requested to deter the enemy fire. The shows of force were successful in ceasing enemy action and allowed allowing the friendly forces to safely egress from the area.
Gardez
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for a friendly forces patrol and a convoy. The friendly patrol requested a show of force to deter enemy action while clearing an enemy fighting position that had previously fired on other friendly patrols. The show of force was successfully performed when no enemy action was noted. The convoy reconnaissance was considered successful when the convoy reached its destination unimpeded.
Morghab
Coalition and Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft provided armed overwatch and surveillance for several friendly forces convoys. One friendly forces convoy was pinned when an improvised explosive device was discovered ahead of the convoy. Nearby, an Afghan National Army check point came under fire and requested air support. A show of force was performed and ended the enemy fire at the checkpoint. The convoy got back underway once the IED was cleared and arrived safely at the convoy destination. Another convoy came under enemy fire and precision guided munitions were utilized when the point of origin for the enemy fire was confirmed. The precision guided munitions destroyed the enemy fighting position and ended the enemy fire.
Almar
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When a small friendly forces convoy reported taking enemy fire, the aircraft were directed to the convoy location and performed a show of force to deter the enemy action. The show of force was considered successful when the enemy fire stopped.
Konduz
F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces. When suspicious activity was noted a show of force was requested to deter any enemy potential activity. The show of force was successful in deterring any enemy action.
Shurakian
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Once the aircraft were on station, they were requested to perform several shows of force to deter potential enemy action in several areas. The shows of force were considered successful when no enemy action was noted in the areas.
Chahar Bagh
Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for Coalition forces. The Coalition forces requested a show of force to deter the enemy fire they were taking. The show of force was successful in deterring the enemy action.
Air Operations in Iraq:
No significant action to report in the last 24 hours.
Air Power Statistics:
Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 159
Short tons of delivered cargo: 670
Passengers: nearly 3,600
Airdropped cargo: nearly 95,000 pounds
Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 88
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 22
Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 31
Sorties flown in Iraq: 26
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)
Medical Evacuation:
On December 20, Air Force HH-60 aircrew and Pararescue Airmen transported 8 patients
Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 40
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.6 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 195
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