Sept. 7 airpower summary: Coalition aircraft pound enemy targets Published Sept. 9, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Sheykhabad. A friendly force's convoy reported anti-coalition forces assembling at an enemy-compound location. A show of force was requested to aid in deterring enemy action. The show of force was successful. Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for a coalition patrol near Chahar Bagh. The aircraft focused attention on suspicious activity around the patrol area and a show of force was requested to deter enemy activity. The show of force successfully defused the situation. The coalition aircraft continued to provide overwatch and strafing runs were requested when a group of friendly forces came under small-arms fire. Both strafing runs were successful in deterring enemy aggression. In Asmar, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provide overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported receiving heavy small-arms fire from an anti-coalition force's sniper position and requested airpower to deter enemy action. The aircraft released several precision-guided munitions and executed a strafing run on the position which destroyed the position and terminated the sniper fire. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft were in the vicinity of Moqor, providing overwatch when friendly forces reported being hit with rocket-propelled grenade fire and requested a show of force to deter enemy aggression. The show of force was successful. At Qarah Bagh, F-16C aircraft were overhead when friendly forces reported receiving small-arms fire originating from a village they were passing. A show of force was requested when a large group of anti-Afghan forces were sited. The show of force successfully helped to disperse the crowd. There were Navy F/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18E Super Hornets in the sky above Morghab, providing armed overwatch for friendly ground forces. When anti-coalition forces congregated on a troop transit route, a show of force was requested to disperse the crowd. Also, a strafing run was requested when the enemy forces massed at a position conducive to an ambush on friendly forces. Both actions were successful in dispersing the crowds. Near Kirkuk, F-16C and Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft were providing armed cover for a friendly force's convoy passing through a potentially hostile village. Shows of force were requested to reassure the convoy that airpower was still in the area and to deter any enemy aggression. The shows of force were successfully demonstrated. Friendly forces at Asmar reported taking small-arms fire from an enemy-sniper position and requested assistance from F-15E aircraft in the area. The sniper position was confirmed and precision-guided munitions were released destroying the position. An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper provided overwatch for potential improvised explosive device placement by insurgents near Kandahar. A group identified as enemy forces was observed actively engaged in distribution of IEDs. A missile was fired and directed to the group's position destroying the target. At Surkhabad, coalition aircraft were overhead when friendly forces requested assistance clearing the intended route of a coalition force convoy. Suspicious activity was noted at a known enemy position. A precision-guided munition was released on the enemy target eliminating a potential enemy ambush site. Twenty-eight 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, 87 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. In Iraq, Air Force F-16C aircraft provided overwatch near Baqubah. A coalition force convoy requested shows of force to deter any potential enemy aggression while enroute. The shows of force were successful as there was no enemy engagement while the convoy transited the area. 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-one 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 145 airlift sorties, 557 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,300 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 85,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Sept. 6, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 14 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 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 230 receiving aircraft.