Aug. 17 airpower summary: Transports provide intra-theater airlift

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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. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Herat. Friendly forces were attempting to move a vehicle that struck an improvised explosive device a day earlier. Shows of force were requested to diffuse any potential enemy threat. The shows of force were successful in preventing the threat of attack.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were providing armed overwatch in the vicinity of Asmar when they were requested to provide armed interdiction against enemy forces. Friendly forces were being hit with intermittent small-arms fire as enemy forces were observed going in and out of an enemy compound. The F-15E aircraft released precision-guided munitions on the enemy position, eliminating the position and stopping the small-arms fire.

Near Parmakan, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested shows of force against an anti-coalition improvised explosive device team. Suspicious personnel were observed stopping their vehicle along a road and digging. When F/A-18Es performed the shows of force, the suspicious personnel quickly vacated the area.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets worked with friendly forces near Washir to eliminate an enemy machine gun and mortar position that was firing on a friendly force convoy. The position was observed and confirmed by coalition forces and the F/A-18C aircraft employed precision-guided munitions on the target and destroyed it.

In the vicinity of Surkhabad and Qal E Naw, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided armed overwatch for friendly forces who were receiving small-arms fire from anti-Afghan forces. The aircraft engaged in several shows of force to deter the enemy forces and later while still providing armed overwatch. The aircraft deployed precision-guided munitions against the enemy positions resulting in their destruction.

F/A-18C aircraft in the vicinity of Chahar Bagh performed strafing runs against anti-Afghan forces that were targeting coalition forces with small-arms fire. The strafing runs were deemed successful when it was reported and confirmed the AAF were in retreat and fleeing the scene.

Friendly forces near Abchakan and Konduz requested support from F-15E aircraft providing armed overwatch when their convoy was pinned down by small-arms fire after being hit by an improvised explosive device. The enemy positions were located and confirmed. Shows of force to deter enemy action were performed eliminating the threat to friendly forces.

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

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

In total, 93 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, 24 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-five 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 157 airlift sorties, 465 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,900 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 66,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On August 15, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported nine 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.

Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 240 receiving aircraft.