Aug.14 airpower summary: Strike Eagles support ground troops Published Aug. 16, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations August 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Tani. Friendly forces reported and confirmed enemy movement in a tree line and requested a strafing run. The strike was deemed successful after the enemy fled the position. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were providing armed overwatch in the vicinity of Asmar when they were requested to provide armed intervention against enemy forces. Enemy sniper positions were confirmed and numerous strafing runs were made to eliminate the positions. Near Ghazni, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested that they provide intervention against enemy forces. Friendly forces were being hit with mortar and small-arms fire. The Super Hornets were successful in stopping the enemy action with shows of force. F-15E aircraft flying over Sheykhabad worked with friendly forces to eliminate an enemy threat that was prepared to fire on friendly forces. A show of force discouraged any action from the enemy position. In the vicinity of Now Zad, an MQ-1B Predator provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported receiving mortar fire, the Predator successfully launched a precision guided missile to destroy the enemy position. Coalition aircraft and MQ-9A Reapers flew armed overwatch for friendly forces at Heart and Mushan. When friendly forces came into the vicinity of a known enemy force's massing point, aircraft were able to confirm potential ambush and deployed precision-guided munitions against the anti-Afghan forces, eliminating the ambush threat. Coalition aircraft provided numerous shows of force at Chahar Bagh, Tarin Kowt and Heart while providing armed overwatch for friendly forces. The shows of force were requested when Afghan forces started receiving small-arms fire. In each instance the shows of force ended the enemy action. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. Twenty-seven 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, 83 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. 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-three Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. U.S. 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. U.S. Air Force airlift crews flew 159 airlift sorties, 474 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,600 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 146,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On August 13, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported seven 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 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 205 receiving aircraft.