Oct. 3 airpower summary: F-16s deter enemy actions

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Nuristan, coalition aircraft provided critical and responsive airpower to friendly forces on the ground that were subjected to enemy attack.

In Now Zad, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft provided overwatch for a coalition forces' convoy. The convoy was about to pass by a position that had fired on friendly forces in the past and was now occupied by suspicious personnel. A show of force was requested to deter any enemy action while the convoy passed. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was noted.

Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft were in the vicinity of Sheykhabad providing armed overwatch. The aircraft were tasked with providing reconnaissance of the area for threatening activity. When friendly forces reported receiving indiscriminate enemy fire, a show of force was conducted and the enemy fire ceased.

At Lashkar Gah, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft provided overwatch for a coalition forces' foot patrol. When the coalition forces patrol came under enemy fire, a strafing run was conducted to deter the enemy aggression, successfully terminating the threat.

In Lashkar Gah, Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft in the area providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The F/A-18C aircraft were requested to perform a show of force for the friendly forces when they started receiving enemy small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade attacks. The show of force successfully ended the enemy action.

There were F-16C aircraft overhead at Mazar-E Sharif providing area reconnaissance for friendly forces. A show of force was requested to deter enemy action when friendly forces were hit by an improvised explosive device. The show of force was considered successful when no additional enemy action was noted.

In the vicinity of Orgun-E, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces' helicopter extraction. When enemy personnel were seen in the area, precision-guided munitions were requested to destroy the threat. Confirmed coordinates were given and the precision-guided munitions were deployed on target eliminating the threat.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were overhead at Chahar Bagh providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces' convoy. A show of force was provided in the area of potentially threatening personnel. The convoy arrived safely at its destination.

Near Sheykhabad, F-16C aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces in the area. A show of force was requested over suspected enemy personnel and was successful in deterring any threatening activity.

F/A-18F aircraft were seen above Moqor when an imminent threat was noted advancing toward coalition forces. A show of force was conducted to deter an anti-coalition rocket attack. The show of force was determined successful as no attack took place.

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

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

In total, 20 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-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Air Force airlift crews flew 151 airlift sorties; 488 short tons of cargo were delivered; and about 4,300 passengers were transported. This included about 40,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Oct. 2, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 20 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 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 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 pounds of fuel to 243 receiving aircraft.