Feb. 17 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 17 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close-Air Support

Lashkar Gah
Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for coalition forces. The aircrews were given coordinates for an enemy fighting position where people had been firing on friendly forces. Aircrews eliminated the threat to friendly forces with a precision-guided munition.

Tirgari
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided close-air support to friendly ground forces and armed escort to a friendly-forces convoy. The pilots responded to a report of friendly forces taking enemy fire at a different location. They conducted a show of force, which was declared successful when no further enemy action was noted. The pilots returned to provide overwatch for friendly ground forces.

Balocan
Air Force MQ-9A Reaper operators provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly ground forces. Operators observed several enemy people shooting at friendly forces then enter a compound.  The enemy emerged from the compound to continue firing on friendly forces. They were eliminated with precision-guided munitions. The threat to friendly forces terminated.

Asadabad
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces ground patrol.  The aircrews employed multiple precision-guided munitions against enemy forces. Later, they provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy.

Konduz
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly- forces convoy. The convoy was receiving enemy small-arms fire.  The aircrews received orders to conduct a show of force. The show of force was declared successful when friendly forces broke contact with the enemy. The convoy continued on its route. The aircrews later provided armed escort for another convoy with nothing significant to report.

Sangin
Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted shows of force when suspicious personnel were observed with a possible weapon. The shows of force were declared successful when no enemy action was noted. Then, the aircrews successfully provided armed overwatch for helicopter operations.

Sheykhabad
F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy. They conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy action. The show of force was declared successful when the convoy continued with no interruptions. The aircrews later provided armed overwatch for a separate group of ground forces.

Washir
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces. The aircrews conducted several shows of force in support of the operation. The shows of force were successful.

Airlift Action

Badghis Province
An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 35,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Konar Province
An Air Force C-130 aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Konar Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 30,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Zabul Province
An Air Force C-130 aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 28,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Badghis Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 48,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Airpower Statistics:

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 83
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 20

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 39
Sorties flown in Iraq: 24

On Feb. 16:

Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk aircrews and pararescue Airmen transported 14 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 37
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.6 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 186

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 198
Short tons of delivered cargo: 1,140
Passengers: nearly 4,900
Airdropped cargo: approximately 140,000 pounds