Oct. 20 airpower summary: F-16s fly close-air support Published Oct. 27, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew armed overwatch in the Balocan area for a friendly forces convoy. Improvised explosive device emplacers were seen on the convoy trail and immediate action was taken with cannon fire strafing runs. The enemy emplacers were unsuccessful in planting the IED and the convoy passed by with no problems incurred. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons were in the vicinity of Asadabad providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces foot patrol. When the patrol reported receiving enemy fire, point-of-origin coordinates were confirmed for the source of the attack. Precision-guided munitions were employed to successfully destroy the enemy positions. Near Shahidan, F-16Cs were providing overwatch for friendly forces and performing aerial surveillance for possible Taliban campfires when the friendly forces reported receiving enemy mortar fire. A request for a show of force over the suspected site of the enemy fire was called in and the show of force, with flares expended, was performed. The show of force was successful in stopping the enemy mortar fire. In the vicinity of Chahar Bagh, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets were providing armed overwatch over friendly forces compounds. When enemy movement was observed, a show of force was requested and the show of force successfully deterred any enemy action against friendly forces. At Moqor, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets were providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces patrol. When enemy movement was observed in the area of the friendly forces, a show of force was requested and the show of force successfully deterred any enemy action against friendly forces. Twenty-nine 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, 80 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. In Iraq, 27 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In total, 18 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 aircraft 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 608 short tons of cargo and about 3,000 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 115,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Oct. 19, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 16 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 49 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 253 receiving aircraft.