Sept. 27 airpower summary: Predator missile strike destroys enemy position

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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 Sept. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an MQ-1 Predator responded to a request for support in the Sangin area. Friendly forces were under small-arms fire from an enemy position, observed by the Predator, and received a request for air support. Predator aircrews authorized and executed a missile strike that destroyed the enemy position.

In Abchakan, Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft provided overwatch for a friendly forces' convoy. Friendly forces in that location had been under enemy small-arms fire and requested a show of force. The show of force was made with flares expended and ended the small-arms fire.

At Chahar Bagh, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provided overwatch for friendly forces. Suspicious activity in addition to small-arms fire led to a request for air support. When the small-arms fire coordinates were confirmed, they were passed to the aircrews. A precision guided munition was deployed on the target coordinates destroying the enemy building and ending the enemy small-arms fire.

A-10 aircraft were still in the area at Chahar Bagh when a request for shows of force went out. Several shows of force were conducted with numerous flares expended. All were declared successful as no enemy action was noted afterward.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft were in the vicinity of Asadabad when a request for a show of force was received. The show of force was successful at keeping the enemy forces away from a friendly force operation.

At Chahar Bagh, Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft were patrolling the airspace when a request for assistance came in. Friendly ground forces requested that a known enemy position, from which anti-Afghan forces were firing on friendly forces, be destroyed. The target was destroyed with precision-guided munitions.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft were in the area of Sangin tasked to clear a route for a coalition forces' convoy. A show of force was requested on three compounds that were located closely to the convoy route to deter enemy action. The show of force was successful in deterring any enemy action and the convoy passed through the area without incident.

In total, 83 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Thirty Air Force, Navy and coalition intelligence, 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-seven 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 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 124 airlift sorties, 345 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,200 passengers were transported. This included about 165,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 26, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported nine 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 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 236 receiving aircraft.