Sept. 18 airpower summary: C-130s continue to deliver throughout theater

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft responded to a request for assistance in the Asmar area. Friendly forces being extracted by a helicopter evacuation were in the area of known enemy positions and requested airpower to deter possible enemy aggression. The known enemy positions were targeted after coordinates were confirmed and a barrage of precision-guided munitions destroyed the targets and successfully deterred enemy action during the evacuation maneuver.

Asmar saw Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft in the air providing overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces came under enemy fire and immediately requested assistance to deter the enemy aggression. A show of force was performed in an attempt to stop the enemy fire and was considered successful.

Again at Asmar, F-15Es were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces that were crossing a bridge when the enemy opened fire. Several enemy sniper positions were identified and the locations confirmed. The F-15Es targeted the enemy positions and destroyed them with precision-guided munitions allowing the friendly forces to resume crossing the bridge.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons were in the vicinity of Asmar also providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. A request for support was issued when friendly forces reported receiving indiscriminate enemy mortar fire. A show of force was conducted and was declared successful when the enemy mortar fire ceased.

At Oruzgan, B-1Bs were assisting friendly ground forces in their search for improvised explosive devices and related activity. The ground forces reported receiving indiscriminant enemy sniper fire. The B-1B performed a show of force and successfully deterred the enemy fire. 

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided armed overwatch for friendly forces at a new patrol base at Chahar Bagh. Enemy forces were reported massing in the area and a show of force was requested to deter any enemy aggression. When the show of force was demonstrated with numerous flares expended, the enemy forces were seen vacating the area.

In total, 84 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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, 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

Thirty 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 127 airlift sorties, 450 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 4,000 passengers were transported. This included about 105,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 17, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and pararescue teams transported 16 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 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 196 receiving aircraft.