Oct. 14 airpower summary: KC-135s sustain flight in AOR

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Oct. 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II and MQ-9A Reaper aircraft flew armed overwatch in the Asmar area. Friendly forces reported anti-Afghan forces' small-arms fire and requested airpower assistance. When coordinates were confirmed, the aircraft deployed precision-guided munitions on the targets destroying the enemy positions.

In Asmar, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided overwatch for friendly forces. Potential enemy action was reported and shows of force were requested. The shows of force were successful.

Marine AV-8B Harrier aircraft were in the vicinity of Now Zad providing armed overwatch for friendly ground forces. The ground forces reported taking enemy small-arms fire. Precision-guided munitions were delivered destroying the position and terminating the attack.

A-10 aircraft over Surkhabad provided overwatch and reconnaissance for suspicious activity in the area. Anti-Afghan forces were seen on foot with a large weapon and other enemy forces were seen gathering with weapons by a tree line. The aircrews were tasked to engage the enemy forces and eliminate the threat with strafing runs. The cannon fire successfully destroyed the enemy positions.

At Now Zad, Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft provided overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces reported taking small-arms and machine-gun fire from several enemy positions and requested air support. The enemy positions coordinates were confirmed and precision-guided munitions were released destroying the targets and ending the attack.

In Khaval, F-15E aircraft provided overwatch for friendly forces. A show of force was requested and successfully performed deterring potential enemy attack.

In the vicinity of Soltani, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces. When the ground forces reported receiving enemy small-arms fire, a show of force was provided and successfully ended the hostile activity.

In Asadabad, F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When threatening activity developed in the area, the friendly forces requested interdiction. A precision-guided munition was used to stop the enemy action before an attack could be initiated.

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

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, 22 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.

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

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 136 airlift sorties, 513 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,100 passengers were transported. This included about 145,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Oct. 13, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported ten patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60G 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 53 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 279 receiving aircraft.