Sept. 24 airpower summary: B-1B protects coalition forces

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft responded to a request for support in the Lashkar Gah area when enemy forces posed a threat to friendly forces. A show of force was requested when the friendly forces came under enemy sniper fire. The show of force was successful in deterring the enemy fire.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were providing overwatch for friendly forces in Sangin. The friendly forces came under deadly enemy small-arms fire while clearing a building and requested an immediate show of force. The show of force was made with flares expended and was called successful when the small-arms fire ceased.

At Asadabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided overwatch for friendly forces. Suspicious activity in addition to small-arms fire led to a request for shows of force to stop any enemy action. The shows of force were successful in ending the enemy action.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft were in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces convoy. The convoy reported receiving small-arms fire as it passed a compound. Air support came in several forms when both types of aircraft responded and, with the aid of helicopters in the area, were able to get confirmed coordinates for the enemy target. After the enemy forces fired on the convoy, the helicopter crews observed them moving their operation center to a cave. Precision-guided munitions were used to destroy the enemy position and the convoy was then able to safely continue.

Also in the area, an improvised explosive device production facility was discovered by Afghan forces. When all civilians had been evacuated from the village, coordinates were given for deployment of precision-guided munitions on the IED factory that was successfully destroyed without injury to civilians.

Near Parmakan, A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch for potential threatening activity during a medevac operation. Friendly forces had come under enemy attack and suffered casualties. A medevac operation was put in motion. When the medevac helicopter arrived in the area, the A-10 performed shows of force with flares expended to deter any enemy aggression during the extraction operation. The shows of force were deemed successful when enemy fire stopped.

Near Shurakian, F/A-18E aircraft providing armed overwatch for friendly forces in the area. Shows of force were requested to deter enemy movement and action in the area. The shows of force were successful in deterring both enemy action and aggression.

Air Force F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch in the Asadabad area for a friendly forces' patrol. When the patrol was ambushed, coordinates of the enemy fire were confirmed and passed to the aircraft overhead for targeting with precision-guided munitions. The weapons were successful in eliminating the enemy ambush point.

There were A-10 aircraft in the vicinity of Sangin flying overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces, in conjunction with Afghan National Army forces, were conducting a clearing operation in the area. Shows of force were requested in support of the operation to suppress any enemy action. The shows of force were conducted with numerous flares being expended and apparent success as there was no report of enemy action in the area.

Near Balocan, Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces in the area. A show of force was requested when friendly ground forces came in contact with enemy forces during a clearing operation. The show of force was successful in deterring potential enemy action.

In the vicinity of Chahar Bagh, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces in the area. When the report of an explosion was received, a show of force was requested to deter any enemy action while the explosion scene was checked. The show of force was successful in deterring potential enemy action.

At Sheykhabad, F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces in the area. Numerous shows of force were requested and were successful in deterring potential enemy action.

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

In Iraq, 34 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In total, 26 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 145 airlift sorties, delivered 719 short tons of cargo and transported about 4,000 passengers. Airlift included about 90,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 23, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported nine 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 59 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.8 million pounds of fuel to 272 receiving aircraft.