Oct. 5 airpower summary: Coalition aircraft provide responsive airpower

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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. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Nuristan, coalition aircraft continued to provide responsive airpower to friendly forces on the ground.

Near Musa Qaleh, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets were providing overwatch for a friendly forces patrol. When the patrol reported taking enemy small-arms fire from a confirmed enemy compound position, a show of force was conducted. When the enemy fire started again, a precision-guided munition was released, destroying the compound. Numerous strafing runs of cannon fire also were made that terminated all enemy action.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft were in the vicinity of Konduz providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported receiving indiscriminate enemy fire, shows of force were conducted and the enemy fire ceased.

At Kabul, Navy F/A-18C Hornets provided overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces came under enemy fire, a show of force was conducted successfully terminating the threatening action.

At Sangin, F/A-18Cs were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. They were requested to destroy a known enemy compound and eliminate a potential threat. Several precision-guided munitions were released on the selected target destroying it and eliminating the threat.

There were F-15E aircraft overhead at Asadabad providing armed overwatch. Friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire and the point of origin was confirmed. Precision-guided missiles were released successfully destroying the enemy position.

In the vicinity of Herat, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10s were providing armed overwatch for coalition forces. When enemy personnel engaged the coalition forces, shows of force were conducted. When the enemy action continued confirmed coordinates for the target were identified. Precision-guided munitions were deployed eliminating the threat.

Near Kabul, F-15E and F/A-18E aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces in the area. Shows of force were conducted that were successful in discouraging threatening enemy action.

Thirty-one 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, 88 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16s were overhead at Al Kufah providing armed overwatch. When suspicious activity was noted in the area, several shows of force were executed and successfully deterred enemy action.

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

In total, 27 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 160 airlift sorties, delivered 580 short tons of cargo and transported about 3,000 passengers. 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. 4, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported seven 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 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 pounds of fuel to 269 receiving aircraft.