Aug. 12 airpower summary: Reaper provides overwatch Published Aug. 14, 2009 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Now Zad. Friendly forces reported and confirmed enemy action related to planting improvised explosive devices. The Reaper released precision guided munitions on the enemy position to deter the enemy action. The strike was deemed successful after the enemy position was destroyed. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were providing armed overwatch in the vicinity of Now Zad when they were requested to provide armed intervention against enemy forces. Enemy positions were confirmed and numerous strafing runs were made to eliminate the positions. Near Now Zad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested them to provide armed intervention against enemy forces. The F-15Es were successful in stopping the enemy action with use of precision guided munitions. Coalition aircraft flew armed overwatch for friendly forces at Asadabad. When friendly forces came into the vicinity of a known enemy force's massing point, they received small-arms fire and requested shows of force to deter the enemy action. The aircraft expended flares during the shows of force which were deemed successful. Near Asadabad Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles work with friendly forces to eliminate an enemy position that was firing on the friendly forces. The enemy position was taken out with precision guided munitions. In the vicinity of Asmar, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When the friendly forces reported receiving small-arms fire, the aircraft successfully employed precision guided munitions to deter the enemy action. Several A-10s conducted shows of force after a friendly force's convoy was struck with an improvised explosive device in Tarin Kowt. The shows of force allowed the friendly forces to strip the damaged vehicle of all information. Once the damaged vehicle was abandoned, precision guided munitions rendered it useless to the enemy. In Now Zad, A-10s work with friendly forces to eliminate enemy positions that were firing on friendly forces. The enemy positions were taken out with cannon fire. Outside the town of Musa Qaleh, A-10 aircraft provided a successful show of force for friendly forces to deter enemy action. The aircraft then continued to provide armed overwatch. Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions. In total, 75 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Thirty Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, one coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. 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. Air Force airlift crews flew 136 airlift sorties; 338 short tons of cargo were delivered; and about 3,300 passengers were transported. This included about 24,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Aug. 11, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported eight 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 Pave Hawk 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 tankers flew 47 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 174 receiving aircraft.