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Airpower Summary: January 4

Release Number: 070110

1/6/2010 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations January 04, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Morghab
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol. Friendly forces requested air support when an enemy position opened fire with a heavy machine gun and small arms. Once coordinates for the enemy position were received, the aircrew released precision-guided munitions against the target, which eliminated the threat with a direct hit. No further enemy action was noted.

Surkhabad
Navy F/A-18C Hornet and Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch and force protection for friendly and Coalition forces. Coalition forces reported taking indirect enemy fire earlier in the day and a show of force was conducted to discourage enemy action. Friendly forces later reported receiving heavy small-arms fire and passed the coordinates of the enemy position to the aircrew. A heavy munition and a strafing run were targeted on the coordinates of the enemy position. The action was successful as no further enemy aggression was noted in the area.

Bagram
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided armed overwatch for an Afghan National Army patrol. The patrol reported taking enemy fire from an enemy fighting position and requested a show of force to break contact with the enemy force. The show of force, with flares expended was considered successful when the ANA patrol was able to evade the enemy fire, regroup and continue with their mission.

Delaram
F/A-18C aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots were instructed to release precision-guided munitions on the coordinates passed to them. The munitions were successful in destroying the intended target.

Sangin
F/A-18C aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. A show of force was requested to deter enemy fire employed against friendly forces. The show of force was successful as no further enemy action was noted.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the aircraft reported on station, they were directed to conduct a show of force to deter potential enemy action in the area. The Show of force was considered successful when no enemy action was noted.

Air Operations in Iraq:

Baghdad
The pilot of an Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft employed precision-guided munitions against a pre-planned target. The munitions were successful in destroying the intended target.

Air Power Statistics:

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 150
Short tons of delivered cargo: 809
Passengers: nearly 2,800
Airdropped cargo: nearly 130,000 pounds

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 79
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 20

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 34
Sorties flown in Iraq: 27
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On January 03, Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 7 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 43
Fuel delivered: nearly 3.0 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 230