Sept. 21 airpower summary: F-16s display shows of force

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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 September 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons responded to a request for assistance in the Monari area. Friendly forces located in a known enemy location were being extracted by helicopter and requested air power to deter enemy aggression. A show of force was made and prevented enemy action.

Chahar Bagh saw Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and coalition aircraft providing overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces were clearing compounds that anti-Afghan forces had evacuated and requested air power to deter any possible enemy aggression. A show of force was successful in deterring enemy action while the friendly forces were in the area.

There were F-16s providing armed overwatch for friendly forces in the Asadabad area. A request went out for the aircraft to scan for suspicious activity in the area and for potential ambush sites along future convoy route. Before leaving the area, the aircraft displayed a show of force to continue deterrence of enemy action.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were in the vicinity of Asadabad providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft also provided escort for a friendly forces' convoy as they traveled through the area. The F-15Es noticed a small unidentified campground with tents and a fire ahead of the convoy and engaged in a show of force successfully deterring any action from the campground. The convoy passed by with no problems.

At Surkhabad, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft assisted a coalition patrol and convoy on an attack mission of a confirmed enemy compound. The coalition forces requested a strike on the enemy compound just prior to the attack. The Navy aircraft successfully released precision-guided munitions on the target.

In the Sheykhabad area, an improvised explosive device emplacement team was detected by crews operating an MQ-1 Predator. A Hellfire missile was fired on the target eliminating the IED and the emplacement team.

There were A-10s at Kandahar providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces' convoy when several suspicious vehicles approached the convoy from the rear. A show of force was declared a success and the A-10 remained on station with the convoy.

Ghazni had F-15Es overhead as they provided support for a convoy headed to an Afghan National Police station. There were suspicious personnel with motorcycles in the area of the police station so a show of force was requested to deter any possible enemy action. The convoy arrived at the station without incident.

There were F-15Es around Asmar providing reconnaissance for friendly forces in the area. The aircraft were searching for potential ambush and enemy sites in the vicinity of the friendly forces. When no significant events were reported, the aircraft provided a show of force to let the friendly forces know they were in the area.

In total, 76 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 addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In total, 22 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-five 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 135 airlift sorties, 487 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 4,000 passengers were transported. This included about 145,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 20, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and pararescue teams transported 10 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 aircrews 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 tanker crews flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 222 receiving aircraft.