Sept. 13 airpower summary: Super Hornets sting enemy forces Published Sept. 16, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch for friendly helicopter forces near Asmar. When the helicopters flew near an enemy anti-aircraft threat, a request for air support was made. The enemy position was confirmed and destroyed by precision-guided munitions, eliminating a potential threat to the helicopters. Navy F/A-18C Hornets aircraft provided overwatch for coalition forces near Shurakian when they reported receiving sporadic small-arms fire from an anti-coalition position. A strafing run was made on the point of origination for the enemy fire and the small-arms fire ceased. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets were in the vicinity of Chahar Bagh providing armed overwatch for friendly forces when anti-coalition forces were seen massing at a tree line position. To deter enemy action and eliminate the enemy position, several strafing runs were made with good success for both objectives. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided a show of force at Badikel for a friendly convoy entering into an area that had experienced previous enemy aggression. A show of force was requested to continue deterrence of any enemy action and was considered successful. At Lashkar Gah, F-16 aircraft were overhead providing overwatch when a show of force was requested to disperse a crowd of insurgents. On initiation of the show of force insurgents immediately fled and vacated the surrounding area. In the vicinity of Morghab, Air Force F-16s were requested to provide a show of force to deter any enemy actions for a friendly convoy. The show of force was deemed successful when no enemy aggression was reported. F-16 aircraft were in the area of Sheykhabad for overwatch of a friendly convoy and dismounted foot patrol removing improvised explosive devices as they were found and confirmed. A show of force was requested to deter any enemy action while the IEDs were eliminated. A coalition convoy had Navy F/A-18C Hornets overhead providing overwatch while passing through the Now Zad area. The convoy requested several shows of force to continue deterrence of any enemy aggression. The shows of force were conducted, some with flares released, with successful results as no enemy action was reported. F-15E aircraft were providing armed overwatch over the city of Asmar. During the day, the aircraft received requests for several shows of force to help deter any potential anti-Afghan force's activity. The shows of force were successful as no enemy action was reported. An MQ-1B Predator in the vicinity of Karbala observed an enemy position firing on friendly forces. The command to destroy the position was given, resulting in a missile being fired on the target. The enemy position was destroyed and the enemy fire ceased. Thirty-three 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 ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. In Iraq, several F-16 aircraft were providing ground forces near Kirkuk assistance during a roundup of insurgent forces. Several insurgents who had escaped initial capture by hiding in reeds of a creek, were chased out of hiding by several strafing runs made by the F-16 aircraft and were then captured. Twenty-eight Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In total, 21 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 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 138 airlift sorties, delivered 513 short tons of cargo and transported about 2,200 passengers. Airlift included about 170,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Sept. 12, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 15 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 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 265 receiving aircraft.