Dec. 16 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 16 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Asadabad
Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported taking enemy fire, a request for air power assistance was made. The point of origin for the enemy fire was confirmed and precision-guided munitions were released on the target ending the enemy fire and action.

Tarin Kowt
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided armed overwatch for coalition forces. The coalition forces reported taking enemy fire and requested air power assistance to terminate the enemy action. Strafing runs were made on the area of the enemy fire which was successfully ended.

Qal-E-Naw
A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch and reconnaissance for friendly forces conducting humanitarian aide at a local school. Nearby friendly forces reported receiving enemy small-arms fire and requested immediate air power assistance. A show of force was performed in the area and was deemed successful when the enemy fire ceased.

Konduz
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flew armed overwatch and reconnaissance for a friendly forces convoy. Convoy leaders requested a show of presence to reassure the convoy that air power was in the area and a show of force to deter any potential enemy action while the convoy was enroute. The show of force was considered successful when no enemy action was noted.

Chahar Bagh
A-10s and Navy F/A-18C Hornets provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces patrol doing a routine sweep of a bazaar. The friendly forces reported indiscriminate enemy fire and requested shows of force to deter enemy action. The shows of force were considered successfully performed when the enemy action ceased

Lashkar Gah
Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets provided armed overwatch and surveillance for friendly forces. The friendly forces requested a show of force to deter any potential enemy aggression in the area. No enemy action was noted.

F/A-18C aircraft provided armed overwatch for coalition forces. When the coalition forces reported taking enemy fire, a show of force was requested. The show of force was performed and considered successful when the enemy fire stopped.

Musa Qaleh
F/A-18F aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. A show of force was requested to be performed over a known anti-coalition forces compound to deter any potential enemy action. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was noted.

Gereshk
Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces requested a show of force to deter any potential enemy activity when increased enemy activity was noted. The show of force was successful in deterring any potential enemy action.

Air Operations in Iraq:

No significant action to report in the last 24 hours.

Air Power Statistics:

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 157
Short tons of delivered cargo: 713
Passengers: nearly 4,700
Airdropped cargo: nearly 135,000 pounds

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 88
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 22

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 27
Sorties flown in Iraq: 28
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On Dec. 15, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk aircrews and pararescue Airmen transported 14 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 42
Fuel delivered: nearly 3.1 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 222