Sept. 12 airpower summary: A-10s strafe enemy positions

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Delaram. When Afghan National Army forces started receiving heavy enemy fire from multiple positions, a request for air support was made. The enemy positions were identified and confirmed, and a combination of shows of force and precision guided munitions terminated the enemy fire.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons provided overwatch for friendly forces convoys near Asmar. The convoys reported receiving sporadic small-arms fire turning into heavy fire from several positions.  As the attack continued, a fuel truck was lost, causing the convoy to stop. At that time several confirmed enemy positions were located.  Numerous strafing runs were made and several precision-guided munitions were strategically dropped and shows of force were conducted causing the enemy to cease fire. This allowed the convoy to get under way once again.

F-15Es and F-16s again were in the vicinity of Asmar providing armed overwatch for friendly forces traveling through an area where friendly troops had experienced recent attacks. The enemy again attacked and the confirmed enemy positions were destroyed with precision-guided munitions. Strafing runs and a show of force brought the attack to an end.

There was an MQ-9A Reaper in the air at Balocan providing armed overwatch for friendly forces engaged in the rescue of two friendly forces hit with an improvised explosive device. The enemy was observed with a large weapon in a nearby enemy compound. To prevent further enemy fire, the weapon and compound were targeted with several rockets that destroyed the enemy weapon. The threat to friendly forces was successfully eliminated.

At Lashkar Gah, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were overhead providing overwatch when enemy action in a known enemy compound was observed. Enemy forces were massing in the compound and in a nearby tree line position for a possible ambush of a friendly force patrol about to pass by. A precision-guided munition was released on the compound and several strafing runs were made on the treeline position, eliminating the threat to the passing friendly patrol.

In the vicinity of Qal-e-Naw, Navy F/A-18C Hornets were requested to eliminate an enemy fighting position that was firing on a coalition convoy. The aircraft released several precision-guided munitions on the enemy compound and a show of force was conducted that terminated all aggression from the compound.

At Sangin, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets were providing overwatch for a coalition convoy when it came under attack from anti-coalition forces. A show of force was made and then several strafing runs were made that brought the enemy attack to an end.

There were Navy F/A-18 Hornets in the vicinity of Surkhabad providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces reported that an enemy machine gun position they were watching had become active, possibly being resupplied.  They called for air support in destroying the enemy position. Coordinates were confirmed and a precision-guided munition was released destroying the target.

At Asadabad, F-15E aircraft provided armed interdiction for friendly forces when anti-coalition forces were seen massing in a field. A precision-guided munition was released and the targeted position was destroyed.

F-15E aircraft were requested to help eliminate an imminent threat of an improvised explosive device being planted roadside. A strafing run was made followed with several precision-guided munitions to destroy the threat.

A friendly force convoy requested air assistance from F-15E aircraft providing armed overwatch at Asmar when the convoy came under enemy fire. The enemy fire was confirmed to be from a ridge line position and the aircraft deployed a precision guided munition on the given coordinates destroying the enemy position.

At Kandahar, A-10 aircraft were working with friendly forces and coalition forces to eliminate all enemy forces in an identified area. Coalition forces were engaged by enemy forces hiding behind a fence line position and called for cannon fire from the A-10 to destroy the position. After the run was made, the enemy position was confirmed destroyed.

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

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

In Iraq, 29 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations, and two Air Force 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.

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 138 airlift sorties, delivered 483 short tons of cargo and transported about 3,000 passengers. Airlift 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. 14, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported six 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.

U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 210 receiving aircraft.