Aug. 24 airpower summary: A-10s provide cover for convoy Published Aug. 26, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft responded to a strike call at friendly forces at Moqor. They identified and confirmed an enemy position. The A-10s engaged the positions with cannon fire and eliminated them. Several A-10s in the Kandahar area provided protection to friendly forces hit with an improvised explosive device. The A-10s executed a show of force and launched flares to deter enemy aggression on the damaged vehicle. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft were seen in the vicinity of Chahar Bagh providing armed overwatch for friendly forces taking small-arms fire from enemy forces. A show of force, expending flares, was successful in ending the enemy aggression. In the vicinity of Balocan, an MQ-9A Reaper operator observed armed enemy forces and received permission to engage the enemy. Precision-guided munitions were used on the target and the mission was successfully completed. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces near Asmar when anti-coalition forces in a sniper position began firing on them with small-arms. Aircrews employed a precision-guided munition on the sniper position and ended the enemy action. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed a show of force in the area of Asmar. The show of force deterred enemy action in the area. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. Thirty-two Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In total, 82 close-air support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. 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. 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 148 airlift sorties, 430 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,900 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 102,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Aug. 23, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 20 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. U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 57 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.6 million pounds of fuel to 294 receiving aircraft.