Dec. 23 airpower summary Published Dec. 30, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 23 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air Operations in Afghanistan: Lashkar Gah Air Force MQ-9A Reaper aircraft provided armed overwatch for and reconnaissance for several friendly forces patrols. When the friendly patrols came under enemy small arms fire at various times, the patrols requested action to deter the enemy action. Missiles were launched on the coordinates and ended the attack. Asadabad An Air Force B-1B Lancer provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces. When enemy forces were suspected of establishing an ambush site along a friendly forces patrol route, a request to deter the enemy action was made. The friendly forces reported taking enemy small-arms fire, so several precision-guided munitions were released on the confirmed enemy coordinates. The munitions destroyed the enemy ambush sites and ended the enemy fire on the friendly forces. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported being hit with indiscriminant fire, a show of force was requested to deter the enemy aggression. The show of force was performed, with flares expended, and was considered successful as no further enemy fire was noted. Musa Qaleh Coalition aircraft flew armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces. A show of force was requested to deter enemy action. The show of force was deemed successful. Surkhabad Navy F/A-18C Hornets and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces requested shows of force be performed to deter any potential enemy action. The shows of force were performed, with flares expended, and were considered successful as no enemy fire was noted. An A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When suspicious enemy action was observed at an enemy fighting position, a request to neutralize the enemy position was made. Precision-guided munitions and a cannon fire strafing run were made on the enemy position destroying the position and eliminating threat to friendly forces. Chahar Bagh An Air Force MQ-1B Predator provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces. When an enemy mortar site was positively identified and coordinates confirmed, a rocket was released on the target and the enemy fighting position was destroyed. The threat to friendly forces was eliminated. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces requested a show of force be performed when suspicious activity was noted in the area. The show of force was considered successful when no enemy action was noted. Morghab Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for Afghan National Army forces. When the ANA forces reported taking enemy fire at a check point, the aircraft were directed to perform a show of force to deter the enemy action. The show of force was successful in deterring the enemy aggression as the enemy fire stopped and the enemy personnel dispersed. Air Operations in Iraq: Mosul Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When suspicious activity was noted in the vicinity of the friendly forces, a request for air power support was made. The aircraft performed a show of force to deter the enemy action. The show of force was considered successful when the enemy action stopped. Air Power Statistics: Air Mobility: U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 143 Short tons of delivered cargo: 817 Passengers: nearly 2,500 Airdropped cargo: nearly 205,000 pounds Close-Air Support: Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 94 Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 24 Surveillance and Reconnaissance: Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 30 Sorties flown in Iraq: 26 Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF) Medical Evacuation: On Dec. 22, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk aircrews and pararescue Airmen transported 6 patients Aerial Refueling: Sorties flown: 45 Fuel delivered: nearly 3.1 million pounds Aircraft refueled: 250