Sept. 5 airpower summary: Air Force, Navy aircraft provide overwatch 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. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force B-1B Lancer and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Farah. A friendly force's convoy reported receiving small-arms fire from an enemy-compound position and enemy-sniper position. Anti-coalition forces were seen assembling at the enemy compound within the town. A show of force was requested to aid in deterring the enemy fire but was unsuccessful. The anti-coalition sniper position was identified and marked so that a precision-guided munition could be used against the target. The enemy compound was confirmed to have no friendly personnel in or around the target area and a precision-guided munition was deployed. Both munitions successfully destroyed the target and the enemy small-arms fire was terminated. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft provided armed overwatch for a coalition convoy near Qal E Naw. The aircraft focused attention on suspicious activity around the convoy area and a show of force was requested to deter any enemy activity. The show of force successfully defused the situation. The Hornet continued to provide overwatch and another show of force was requested when a group of friendly forces came under small-arms fire. Both shows of force were successful in deterring enemy aggression. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft provided overwatch for friendly forces in Asadabad. Friendly forces reported receiving small-arms fire from anti-coalition forces and requested airpower to deter enemy action. The aircraft made several shows of force where flares were expended on some of the shows of force. The actions were successful in deterring enemy aggression. Thirty 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, 74 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator provided overwatch near Basrah. Friendly forces were hit with enemy fire and requested armed interdiction to eliminate the source of the enemy fire. A missile was fired and directed to the point of origin for the small-arms fire destroying the target. 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-seven 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 154 airlift sorties, 544 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,700 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 115,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Sept. 4, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 12 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 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 185 receiving aircraft.