Jan. 5 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Shkin
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for a friendly forces patrol completing their mission. The aircrew responded to numerous requests for reconnaissance over known enemy positions. When a friendly patrol reported receiving enemy fire, the B-1B crew provided a requested show of force. The aircrew conducted a successful show of force. No further enemy action was noted.

Asadabad
An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew provided armed overwatch and force protection for a coalition forces convoy. Coalition forces reported taking enemy rocket-propelled grenade fire and requested assistance in stopping enemy fire. The F-15E crew targeted precision-guided munitions on the coordinates of the enemy position and neutralized it. The action was successful as no further enemy aggression was noted in the area.

Balocan
Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported taking enemy fire and requested shows of force to break contact with the enemy. The shows of force initially agitated the enemy forces, then when flares were expended, they were considered successful as the enemy fire ceased and enemy forces disbanded.

Ali Kheyl
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The crew was instructed to conduct a show of force on the coordinates passed to them. The show of force was successful in deterring any potential enemy action.

Asmar
Air Force F-15Es provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. A show of force was requested to deter potential enemy action against friendly forces. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was noted.

Sheykhabad
Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch and convoy escort for friendly forces. The pilot conducted a show of force while friendly forces dismounted from a patrol to deter any potential enemy aggression. No enemy action was noted in the area.

Air Operations in Iraq:

No significant action to report in the last 24 hours.

Airpower Statistics:

Air Mobility:

U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 157

Short tons of delivered cargo: 616

Passengers: nearly 3,800

Airdropped cargo: nearly 210,000 pounds

Close-Air Support:

Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 79

Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 14

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:

Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 29

Sorties flown in Iraq: 18

Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: 2 (NAVY)

Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:

On Jan. 4, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk aircrews and pararescue Airmen transported 3 patients

Aerial Refueling:

Sorties flown: 45

Fuel delivered: nearly 3.1 million pounds

Aircraft refueled: 227