Oct. 9 airpower summary: F-16 provides cover for medevac missions Published Oct. 11, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flew armed overwatch in the Asadabad area. Friendly forces reported receiving fire from anti-Afghan forces and requested air power assistance to deter the enemy action. When target coordinates were confirmed, the aircraft made a strafing run on the enemy position and deployed precision guided munitions ending the attack. In Konduz, Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft provided overwatch for coalition forces. Enemy action was reported and a show of force was performed. The point of origin for the attack was confirmed and precision-guided munitions were released destroying the enemy position. Additional shows of force were requested to continue deterrence of enemy action and were successful. Air Force MQ-9A Reaper aircraft were in the vicinity of Sangin providing armed overwatch for friendly ground forces when the unit received enemy small-arms fire. The point of origin for the enemy fire was confirmed and a missile strike successfully destroyed the threat. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provided overwatch for friendly forces in Qalat. The friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire and shows of force were requested to deter the enemy action. The shows of force were successful. In the vicinity of Kandahar, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces that had come under enemy small-arms fire. Aircrews supported the ground forces by conducting shows of force against the enemy position successfully ending the enemy attack. At Sangin, F-15E aircraft provided overwatch for friendly forces and also watched for the placement of improvised explosive devices along a roadside. A show of force was requested over the same road to help deter potential enemy activity. In Orguzgan, F-15E aircraft provided overwatch for a friendly forces' helicopter evacuation. When enemy fighting positions were identified in the area and coordinates confirmed, precision-guided munitions and strafing runs were employed. The enemy site was destroyed and the evacuation was a successfully completed. Coalition aircraft were in the area over Now Zad providing armed overwatch for friendly forces in the area. The aircraft responded to a request for a show of force to deny enemy access to a friendly forces' vehicle that had been struck by an improvised explosive device. The show of force was successful. In Sheykhabad, F-16C aircraft provided armed overwatch for a coalition forces' convoy in the area. When the convoy was struck by an IED, a request for a show of force was issued. Several shows of force were made that allowed medevac missions to happen while successfully deterring enemy action. Coalition aircraft were overhead at Chahar Bagh providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces' convoy previously hit by an IED. The aircraft also provided reconnaissance for suspicious activity in the form of possible IED emplacement teams. The coalition aircraft provided several shows of force over the convoy to continue the deterrence of enemy action. A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces in the Farah area. The A-10s were tasked with surveillance of the area surrounding friendly forces for suspicious activity. A show of force was performed with flares expended to deter potential enemy action when enemy movement was spotted. The show of force was successful. In Iraq, Air Force F-16C aircraft were in the vicinity of Tall Afar providing reconnaissance for suspicious activity. A show of force was requested to show there was a friendly presence in the area. The show of force was performed and declared successful. In total, 70 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Thirty-four Air Force, Navy and coalition surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. 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 Twenty-eight Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. 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 134 airlift sorties, 542 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,800 passengers were transported. This included about 12,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Oct. 8, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 15 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 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.5 million pounds of fuel to 270 receiving aircraft.