Jan. 3 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. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Qalat
An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch for friendly forces, as well as a friendly-forces patrol. Friendly forces requested air support when an enemy sniper position opened fire. Once coordinates for the enemy position were received, the aircrew released precision-guided munitions against the target, which eliminated the threat. No further enemy action was noted.

Bagram
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed overwatch and force protection for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported taking indirect enemy fire earlier in the day. A show of force was conducted over several burning vehicles to discourage enemy action. The action was successful as no further enemy aggression was noted in the area.

Balocan
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided armed overwatch and surveillance for friendly forces. The ground forces reported taking enemy fire from a confirmed fighting position prior to the aircraft arriving on station. Once the pilots received the point of origin for the enemy fire, they commenced strafing runs with cannon fire and employed precision-guided munitions against the enemy position. The enemy position was demolished, ending the threat to friendly forces.

Lashkar Gah
A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch and surveillance for a friendly-forces patrol. The patrol reported taking enemy fire and requested a show of force to stop the insurgent fire. The show of force was successful as the enemy fire ceased.

Asadabad
F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch and surveillance for a friendly-forces convoy. Aircraft surveillance revealed a crowd massing along the route of the convoy. A show of force was requested to deter a potential enemy ambush. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was noted and the convoy passed safely through the area.

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Airpower Statistics:

Air Mobility:

U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 160

Short tons of delivered cargo: 974

Passengers: nearly 2,300

Airdropped cargo: nearly 150,000 pounds

Close-Air Support:

Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 72

Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 22

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:

Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 29

Sorties flown in Iraq: 27

Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: 2 (NAVY)

Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:

On Jan. 2, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk aircrews and pararescue Airmen transported 11 patients

Aerial Refueling:

Sorties flown: 43

Fuel delivered: nearly 2.8 million pounds

Aircraft refueled: 16