Aug. 18 airpower summary: 3,400 pax moved

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were providing armed overwatch in the vicinity of Lashkar Gah when they were requested to provide armed air interdiction against enemy forces. Friendly forces reported taking small-arms fire from two confirmed enemy positions. The aircraft conducted several strafing runs on the enemy positions resulting in their destruction and ending enemy activity.

Near Sangin, Coalition aircraft were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces when they received a request for strafing runs on enemy positions. Friendly forces were being hit with small arms fire from enemy positions. The aircraft were successful in stopping the enemy action with strafing runs that destroyed the enemy positions.

A-10s and coalition aircraft worked together with friendly forces at Oruzgan to eliminate enemy forces who were intermittently firing on friendly forces. Several shows of force terminated action from the enemy position.

In the vicinity of Sheykhabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported enemy troops massing and confirmed the location. The aircraft then engaged in several shows of force to deter the enemy activity. The enemy soon dispersed after the shows of force.

At Gardez, F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft engaged in a show of force to reassure friendly forces they were in the area.

Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft in the vicinity of Qal-E-Naw performed armed overwatch for friendly forces when it was reported anti-Afghan forces were targeting coalition forces with small-arms fire. Activity also was confirmed at a point of interest as a friendly force convoy was completing a mission. Shows of force were requested to deter enemy action. The shows of force were deemed successful when it was reported and confirmed the enemy were in retreat and fleeing the scene and small-arms fire had ceased.

Near Khaval and Tani, F-15E aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported receiving small-arms fire from enemy forces and requested shows of force. The aircraft engaged in several shows of force to deter the enemy activity which caused them to disperse.

Navy F/A-18C Hornet and F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft were in the vicinity of Now Zad and Musa Qaleh providing armed overwatch for friendly forces when it was reported anti-Afghan forces were targeting coalition forces with small-arms fire. Shows of force were requested to deter enemy action. The shows of force were reported successful when the enemy retreated from the scene.

In the vicinity of Sheykhabad, A-10 aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported receiving enemy small-arms fire. The aircraft then engaged in shows of force to deter the enemy activity. The enemy dispersed after the shows of force.

Near Zirani, F-15E aircraft were providing armed overwatch when they witnessed an enemy vehicle making stops on side of road. Further observation resulted in conclusion that the enemy forces were planting improvised explosive devices at each stop. Locations were called in and shows of force conducted to stop enemy activity. The shows of force were successful.

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

Thirty-one 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, 92 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, a total of 22 close-air-support missions were flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition 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 143 airlift sorties, 571 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,400 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 108,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 17, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 15 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 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 240 receiving aircraft.