Sept. 9 airpower summary: C-17s deliver troops, cargo

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Asmar. When the friendly forces started receiving sniper fire, a request for air support was made. The enemy sniper positions were identified, confirmed and destroyed by precision-guided munitions, terminating the small-arms fire.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets provided overwatch for coalition forces in Lashkar Gah. Coalition forces reported receiving sporadic small-arms fire from an anti-coalition force position and reported observing concentrated activity at an enemy compound. A show of force was requested to curtail the enemy action in the compound. The Navy aircraft conducted a show of force and launched numerous flares. The show of force was deemed successful when the enemy personnel immediately left the compound and surrounding area.  Later, F-16 aircraft were overhead providing overwatch when a show of force was requested to disperse a crowd of insurgents. On initiation of show of force the insurgents immediately fled and vacated the surrounding area.

F-16s were in the vicinity of Konduz providing armed overwatch for a friendly force convoy traveling through an area reported to have had recent anti-Afghan attacks. A show of force was requested to deter any potential enemy aggression. The show of force was successful.

There were coalition aircraft in the air at Badikhel and Moqor providing armed overwatch for friendly forces entering into an area that had experienced previous enemy aggression. Shows of force were requested to continue deterrence of any enemy action and were considered successful.

In the vicinity of Asadabad, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was requested to provide a show of force when friendly forces reported a possible enemy sniper position. The show of force was to deter any enemy action from the position and was deemed successful when no enemy aggression was reported.

Thirty-two 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, 88 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, 30 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In total, 18 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 147 airlift sorties, delivered 432 short tons of cargo and transported about 3,300 passengers. Airlift included about 120,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 8, 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.

Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 57 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.7 million pounds of fuel to 283 receiving aircraft.