Aug. 16 airpower summary: Tankers fuel the fight

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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 August 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Coalition aircraft flew armed overwatch in the vicinity of Asadabad and Asmar. Friendly forces came under small-arms fire from several positions of enemy forces and called for air support. The aircraft destroyed the enemy positions with precision-guided munitions.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Sangin. Friendly forces requested help when enemy forces engaged them with small-arms fire. They requested shows of force to deter enemy aggression. The shows of force were deemed successful as the enemy fire ceased.

At Soltani, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were providing armed overwatch when they were requested to provide a show of force against enemy forces. Friendly forces were receiving small-arms fire. The Strike Eagles successfully ended the engagement when enemy forces ceased their attack.

Near Sheykhabad, A-10s were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested a show of force to deter enemy action. The A-10s were successful in stopping the enemy action with the show of force and expenditure of flares.

Coalition aircraft flew armed overwatch for a convoy at Asadabad. When friendly forces came under fire from a known enemy massing point, the aircraft destroyed the enemy position with precision-guided munitions.

F-15Es near the town of Musa Qaleh provided air coverage for friendly forces receiving small-arms fire. The aircraft successfully conducted a show of force ending the enemy action.

Enemy personnel engaged coalition forces at Lashkar Gah with small-arms fire. A show of force stopped the enemy forces from continuing the attack.

At Kabul a show of force was requested for F-15E aircraft providing armed overwatch. The show of force deterred enemy aggression prior to the upcoming national election.

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

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

In total, 80 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons aircraft provided armed overwatch for a friendly force's convoy. As the convoy approached a known enemy position, the aircraft successfully employed shows of force to prevent enemy action.

Coalition aircraft flew 26 close-air-support missions for 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-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.

There were 147 airlift sorties flown, 578 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 4,100 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 54,000 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.

U.S. Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately three million pounds of fuel to 242 U.S. receiving aircraft.