Oct. 21 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide armed overwatch

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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 Oct. 21 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew armed overwatch in the Konduz area. Friendly forces reported suspicious activity of anti-Afghan forces and requested air power assistance to deter hostile action. Aircrews confirmed coordinates of the enemy positions and released a precision-guided munition toward the targets. The aircraft continued to search for enemy personnel in the vicinity and to provide ongoing surveillance for friendly forces.

Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons were in the vicinity of Asmar providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft also provided reconnaissance of the area looking for suspicious activity in and around several known enemy positions. When suspicious activity was observed, a precision-guided munition was released and the action ceased.

Near Asadabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were providing overwatch for an Afghan National Army convoy. As the convoy neared a known enemy position, a show of force was requested to deter any potential enemy action. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was observed.

In the vicinity of Orguzgan, A-10s were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. When friendly forces started receiving accurate enemy sniper fire, the coordinates for the point of origin were passed to the aircraft and a precision-guided munition and cannon fire strafing run were employed on the position and the threat eliminated. A show of force, with flares released, was then conducted to continue deterrence of any enemy action.

At Chahar Bagh, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets were providing overwatch for friendly forces. A known enemy position was observed to have suspicious activity and a show of force was called in. The show of force was successful and no further enemy activity was observed.

Near Asadabad, Air Force B-1B Lancers were providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. They were providing reconnaissance ahead of the convoy for any possible improvised explosive device emplacers and activity along the route. A show of force was requested over the site of a helicopter incident to deter any possible enemy action. The show of force was then conducted and successfully deterred any enemy action.

Coalition aircraft were in the vicinity of Surkhabad providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. A show of force was requested and provided, with no flares released. The show of force was considered successful.

Thirty-three Air Force, Navy and coalition intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In total, 82 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, 28 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In total, 24 close-air-support missions were flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Air Force airlift crews flew 149 airlift sorties, delivered 578 short tons of cargo and transported about 3,200 passengers. Airlift included about 35,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

On Oct. 20, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 11 patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard the helicopters located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The Pave Hawks transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.

Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 222 receiving aircraft.