Aug. 28 airpower summary: ISR aircraft perform tactical reconnaissance Published Sept. 1, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force B-1B Lancer, F-15E Strike Eagle and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provided armed overwatch for coalition and friendly forces near Orgun E. The ground forces reported receiving small-arms fire from a treeline position and an enemy compound position. Strafing runs were made on the treeline position and numerous precision-guided munitions were released on the compound with devastating results. Enemy aggression ceased. An A-10 provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Chahar Bagh. The aircraft focused attention on an enemy sniper position that friendly forces reported as a point-of-origin for small arms fire. A strafing run suppressed the enemy fire and a later show of force, which included release of flares, was successful in continued deterrence of enemy action allowing the friendly forces to move out of danger. In Sangin, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator provided overwatch for friendly forces and watching major roads for any enemy forces attempting to plant improvised explosive devices. The Predator operators observed enemy forces laying down command wires to trigger an IED attack and terminated that enemy effort. At Tarin Kowt, A-10s provided armed interdiction for friendly force's convoy and displayed a show of force to successfully deter any enemy aggression on the convoy. F-15Es at Asmar were requested to destroy an enemy sniper position that had been identified and confirmed as continually firing on friendly forces. This was accomplished using precision-guided munitions and strafing runs on the point-of-origin for the enemy fire. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 72 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Twenty-nine Air Force, Navy and coalition intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In total, 26 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-six 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 150 airlift sorties, 563 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,300 passengers were transported. This included about 1135,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Aug. 27, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported one patient to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60G 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 58 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 273 receiving aircraft.