Aug. 29 airpower summary: Reaper provides armed interdiction 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. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, F-16CJ Fighting Falcon aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Remak. As friendly forces neared a river, they reported receiving small-arms fire from enemy forces in treeline positions. Numerous strafing runs were made on the enemy positions finally eliminating the enemy. F-16 aircraft provided armed overwatch for a friendly force's patrol that was dismounted near Sheykhabad. The aircraft focused attention on treeline enemy positions when friendly forces reported them as points-of-origin for small-arms fire. A show of force, which included release of flares, was successful in deterring further enemy action. In Now Zad, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and an MQ-9A Reaper provided overwatch for friendly forces. The friendly forces reported receiving small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade attacks from a mobile enemy position and requested assistance. A strafing run and rocket eliminated the mobile enemy position. At Kandahar, an MQ-9A Reaper provided armed interdiction against anti-coalition forces in a treeline position. Friendly forces identified and confirmed the position as hostile before being destroyed by rocket fire. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 and A-10 aircraft in the vicinity of Shkin, Asadabad and Chahar Bagh provided overwatch for friendly forces. There were shows of force conducted over each city to deter enemy aggression and small-arms fire on friendly force's convoys, patrols and positions. The shows of force were successful in each case. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 82 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Twenty-seven 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, 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-eight 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 149 airlift sorties, 536 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,100 passengers were transported. This included about 24,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Aug. 28, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 17 patients 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 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 217 receiving aircraft.