Sept. 17 airpower summary: F-16s protect coalition forces

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to a request for support in the Morghab area when a friendly force's convoy came under heavy fire. They performed several shows of force during the enemy engagement ultimately ending the enemy aggression and allowing the friendly forces to return to their base camp as planned.

Musa Qaleh saw Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft provide overwatch for friendly forces. When friendly forces came under enemy small arms fire a request for a show of force was requested. When the show of force was made, with flares expended, it was successful in ending the enemy aggression.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were in the vicinity of Bagram providing armed overwatch for friendly forces when they reported receiving small arms fire from an enemy sniper position. Air support was requested when the points of origin for the enemy fire were confirmed. Several precision-guided munitions were deployed on the enemy sniper target terminating the enemy fire.

At Karokh, a B-1B provided overwatch for a friendly forces' convoy. When the convoy started taking enemy small-arms fire, a request for a show of force was made. The B-1B conducted a successful show of force releasing numerous flares, ending the enemy small-arms fire.

There were Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15E aircraft in the vicinity of Sheykhabad flying overwatch for a friendly forces' convoy. The aircraft observed numerous personnel ahead of the convoy digging in the roadway and immediately performed a show of force to deter the action. The show of force successfully deterred the potential threat to the safety of the convoy. The aircraft also checked for any suspicious activity at the site of a previous enemy engagement. A show of force was conducted to deter any future activity while friendly forces were in the area.

Near Lashkar Gah, A-10 and F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch for suspicious activity in the area. Shows of force were requested to deter enemy action when a large group of potential enemy forces were seen gathering. The shows of force, conducted with flares expended, were successful in deterring enemy action and scattering the enemy forces.

In total, 72 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-seven Air Force, Navy and coalition intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an F-16 provided armed overwatch for friendly forces at Al Hillah. A show of force was conducted with flares expended.

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

Thirty-two 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 133 airlift sorties, 385 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,900 passengers were transported. This included about 205,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 16, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and pararescue teams transported 12 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 aerial refueling crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 125 receiving aircraft.