Aug. 15 airpower summary: Predator eliminates enemy threat

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, MQ-1 Predators provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Sangin. Friendly forces reported and confirmed enemy movement in a compound and requested armed interdiction. The Predator fired a missile at the enemy position which eliminated the enemy threat.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were providing armed overwatch in the vicinity of Lashkar Gah when they were requested to provide a show of force against enemy forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force on an enemy mortar position. Enemy activity ceased after the show of force.

Near Asmar, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested they provide intervention against enemy forces. Friendly forces were being hit with sniper fire from several positions. The F-15Es were successful in stopping the enemy action with the release of several precision guided munitions that destroyed the enemy positions.

In Asadabad, F-15Es worked with friendly forces to eliminate an enemy threat that was prepared to fire on friendly forces. Several shows of force prevented action from the enemy position.

In the vicinity of Sheykhabad, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets and coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly forces reported receiving rocket-propelled grenade fire and small-arms fire from anti-Afghan forces located in tree line positions. The aircraft engaged in several shows of force to deter the anti-Afghan forces. Later while still providing armed overwatch, the aircraft also made several strafing runs on the positions successfully terminating all anti-Afghan force action.

Navy F/A-18F aircraft in the vicinity of Now Zad performed dry-fire strafing runs against anti-Afghan forces that were targeting coalition forces with small-arms fire. The shows of force were deemed successful when it was reported and confirmed the anti-Afghan forces were in retreat and fleeing the scene.

Friendly forces near Asadabad requested support from F-15E aircraft providing armed overwatch when the ground forces were pinned down by sniper fire. The enemy sniper positions were located and confirmed. Strafing runs were made on each position eliminating the threat to friendly forces.

Coalition and U.S. aircraft flew armed overwatch for friendly forces at Herat, Sangin and other locations in Afghanistan and were called into action with requests for shows of force to deter aggression against friendly forces. In each situation, the shows of force were successful in eliminating the threats to friendly forces.

In Iraq, near Balad, Air Force F-16CJ Fighting Falcons were called into action with a request for a show of force to deter imminent hostile anti-coalition force activity. The show of force was deemed successful when the concentration of enemy forces dispersed.

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

In total, 81 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-three 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, 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-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 133 airlift sorties, 480 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,900 passengers were transported. This included about 148,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 14, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported nine patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60Gs transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in

Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 58 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.4 million pounds of fuel to 276 receiving aircraft.