Jan. 31 airpower summary

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Musa Qaleh
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrew conducted a show of presence and show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy action during a medical-evacuation mission from an ambush area. Both were considered a success when no enemy aggression was noted.

Asmar
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol. Aircrews conducted surveillance of suspicious personnel at a suspected spotter sight. Later, the aircrews conducted a show of force to deter potential anti-Afghan forces action in the area. The show of force was successful as no action was noted.

Salerno Landing Zone
U.S. Air Force F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch, helicopter escort and reconnaissance for friendly forces in the area. The aircrews conducted shows of force in order to deter enemy fire from the surrounding area. The shows of force were declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

Remak
U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed reconnaissance for friendly forces. The pilots scouted for suspicious activity in the area, then conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter any potential enemy action in the area. The show of force was considered a success when desired effects were achieved.

Shahidan
Air Force F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch for a convoy. The aircrews conducted a show of force to deter any potential enemy action in the vicinity of the convoy. The show of force was declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

Asadabad
U.S. Air Force F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces patrol traveling up a mountain trail. The pilots observed villagers watching the patrol and the pilots conducted a show of force to deter any potential enemy action while the patrol traveled along the trail. The show of force was considered successful.

Lashkar Gah
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces and a convoy. The pilots scouted for any suspicious activity on the convoy route. Later, when enemy forces fired on friendly forces, the A-10 pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, and the enemy fire ceased.

Surkhabad
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for coalition forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, over an enemy compound when coalition forces reported taking enemy fire from the compound. The enemy fire stopped and the show of force declared successful.

Later, the A-10 pilots again provided armed overwatch for coalition forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, over an adjacent enemy compound to deter any enemy fire. The show of force was deemed successful when coalition forces reported no more enemy fire.

Sar Banader
U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with numerous flares launched, in order to deter enemy fire. The show of force was determined successful when enemy fire ceased.

Balocan 
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, in order to deter enemy fire directed against friendly forces. The show of force was declared successful when no further enemy action was noted.

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
-- Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 71
-- Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 18

 Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
-- Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 31
-- Sorties flown in Iraq: 22
-- Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: 2 (NAVY)
-- Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On Jan. 30, Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 13 patients

Aerial Refueling:
-- Sorties flown: 41
-- Fuel delivered: nearly 2.3 million pounds
-- Aircraft refueled: 226

Air Mobility:
-- U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 159
-- Short tons of delivered cargo: 780
-- Passengers: nearly 3,400
-- Airdropped cargo: nearly 165,000 pounds