Aug. 20 airpower summary: F-16s cover coalition convoys

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16CJ Fighting Falcons and F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed overwatch for Afghan and friendly forces in Asmar. The aircraft were working with the convoys providing transportation of election ballots from the polling precincts to counting houses. The Afghan and friendly forces reported taking enemy fire from sniper positions, rocket-propelled grenade teams and small-arms fire from other positions along their route. The aircraft hit the enemy positions with strafing runs, precision guided munitions and ended with a show of force. The ballots were successfully delivered to intended site.

F-16 and F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Asadabad. The friendly forces were hit with small-arms fire and requested air support to eliminate the enemy fire. Precision guided munitions were deployed on the point of origin for the enemy fire and eliminated the position.

F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch on the town of Badikhel. Their mission was to monitor a voting station. During the day, the aircraft demonstrated several shows of force so both friendly and enemy forces were aware of their presence to help prevent enemy aggression.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and B-1B Lancer aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Qalat. While on station, friendly forces were hit with small-arms fire and requested air support to eliminate the enemy fire. The point of origin for the enemy fire was confirmed and strafing runs with cannon fire and precision guided munitions were deployed on the positions and eliminated. Afghan National Army forces also came under fire at a checkpoint and precision guided munitions were released on the enemy position destroying it.

Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Soltani and Abu Kala. Afghan forces reported receiving small-arms fire from an enemy position and requested assistance. Once the enemy position was confirmed, shows of force and then a precision guided munition ended enemy action.

A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Sangin. While on patrol, friendly forces were hit with small-arms fire and requested air support to eliminate the enemy fire. The point of origin for the enemy fire was confirmed as a cave entrance and precision guided munitions were deployed on the position and it was eliminated.

Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces over Musa Qaleh. Friendly forces reported receiving small-arms fire from an enemy position and requested assistance from air power. Once the enemy position was confirmed, a show of force ended the enemy action.

In Ali Kheyl, A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch for ground forces. While there, the friendly forces were hit with-small arms fire and requested air support to eliminate the enemy fire. Several shows of force, using illumination flares, ended the enemy conflict.

In Farah, coalition aircraft provided a show of force after coalition forces were hit by an improvised explosive device which disabled their vehicle. The show of force allowed the coalition forces to evacuate and prevent further enemy action.

F-15E Strike Eagles at Asadabad were requested provide a show of force while providing armed overwatch. The show of force successfully resulted in preventing enemy action.

In Khonduz, F-16 aircraft performed shows of force when friendly forces reported receiving small-arms fire from enemy forces. The shows of force successfully deterred all enemy action.

At Asmar, F-15E aircraft were requested to provide armed interdiction for friendly forces that started receiving small-arms fire from anti-Afghan forces positioned in a cave. The aircraft left the armed overwatch and made strafing runs of cannon fire followed by precision guided munitions destroying the enemy position and ending the small-arms fire.

In Chahar Bagh, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and performed a show of force to end current enemy action and deter future enemy engagements. The shows of force were successful; no further anti-Afghan force's actions were reported.

Air Force A-10 and coalition aircraft were over Lowkhi when anti-Afghan forces were observed in a ravine advancing on a friendly force's position. The aircraft immediately initiated shows of force with flares expended to deter further enemy action. At the conclusion of the shows of force, the enemy was observed leaving the area.

F-15Es at Asadabad were requested to provide assistance while providing armed overwatch. Several enemy positions were firing on a friendly force's position. When the points of origin for the enemy fire were confirmed, the aircraft delivered precision guided munitions on the enemy positions. The enemy positions were destroyed and enemy forces were seen leaving the area. A show of force successfully resulted in hastening their departure.

Coalition aircraft at Konduz conducted shows of force to reassure friendly forces and deter enemy activity.

An MQ-1B Predator was flying overwatch at Chahar Bagh when friendly forces were able to confirm a point of origin for enemy small-arms fire and a strike was called. The Predator released a missile on the enemy position destroying the location.

F-15E and Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets were in the vicinity of Asadabad when they were requested to provide armed interdiction against several anti-Afghan forces positions. Friendly forces identified and confirmed each of the positions as hostile before the aircraft destroyed them with precision guided munitions. Strafing runs were also made on the enemy positions to prevent any further enemy action.

At Sangin, A-10 and coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch. Friendly forces requested air assistance when they came under small-arms fire. Several strafing runs terminated the enemy fire and destroyed the enemy position and the aircraft action concluded with a show of force to deter any additional enemy action.

In Chahar Bagh, F/A-18C Hornets worked with an official election convoy to prevent enemy engagement as the convoy left a polling site. A strafing run was directed on enemy troops massing at a point on the convoy route and enemy action was terminated.

F-15Es in the vicinity of Soltani were requested to destroy an enemy mortar position that had been identified and confirmed. This was accomplished using precision guided munitions. There were also requests for shows of force for the deterrence of enemy fire. The shows of force successfully resulted in ending the enemy fire.

At Sheykhabad, Bagram and Khaval, F-15Es were providing armed overwatch when they were requested to deter enemy action with shows of force. The shows of force successfully resulted in ending the enemy fire.

F/A-18E aircraft in the vicinity of Lashkar Gah performed shows of force and strafing runs against anti-Afghan forces that were targeting coalition forces with small-arms fire. The strafing runs eliminated the enemy position.

Coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Ghazni and Asmar. Ghazni saw a show of force to reassure friendly forces that air power was overhead. At Asmar, coalition aircraft eliminated several enemy positions including a sniper position that had been firing on Afghan forces. This was achieved using precision guided munitions and a strafing run.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

Thirty-four Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, one coalition and two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In total, 101 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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-four 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 136 airlift sorties, 459 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 4,300 passengers were transported. This included about 190,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 19, U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 58 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 286 receiving aircraft.