Sept. 6 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activity

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Tarin Kowt. Friendly ground forces reported a disabled government vehicle. The Hornets were directed to destroy the vehicle to prevent enemy use. Precision-guided munitions successfully destroyed the vehicle.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Chahar Bagh. The aircraft focused attention on an enemy-sniper position when a show of force was requested to deter enemy activity. The show of force successfully deterred enemy action.

In Sangin, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator provided overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported receiving small-arms fire from anti-coalition forces on an enemy rooftop and requested airpower to deter enemy action. After confirmation that only insurgents were at the location, a missile was fired from the Predator that impacted the target. The action was successful in eliminating enemy fire.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were in the vicinity of Sheykhabad providing overwatch for friendly forces when a request for shows of force was made due to scattered enemy small-arms fire. The aircraft made several shows of force expending flares and causing the enemy fire to stop.

Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft over Tarin Kowt provided overwatch when anti-coalition forces attacked friendly forces. The anti-coalition position location was confirmed and precision-guided munitions were employed on the target eliminating the position and terminating enemy small-arms fire.

Precision-guided munitions were utilized to destroy an enemy position near Surkhabad by F/A-18E aircraft. The enemy position was determined to be a rearming point for the enemy. Deployed munitions made a direct hit on the position and were declared successful at eliminating the position.

F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft were at Badikhel, providing armed interdiction for friendly forces when an enemy position was confirmed on a mountain side. Precision-guided munitions were employed on the enemy position and the threat to friendly forces and civilians was successfully eliminated.

Thirty-one 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, 85 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, a total of 24 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.

Twenty-nine 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 144 airlift sorties, 439 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,300 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 150,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Sept. 5, 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 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 232 receiving aircraft.