Aug. 4 airpower summary: KC-10s fuel flight

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed overwatch for friendly forces near Asmar. Numerous enemy sniper positions were identified, confirmed and destroyed by precision guided munitions eliminating potential threats to friendly forces.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided armed overwatch near Tarin Kowt. They also executed a show of force to deter any enemy action as a friendly patrol approached the site of a previous enemy attack.

Near Asadabad, F-15Es providing air support engaged in a show of force when friendly forces encountered rocket-propelled grenade attacks and small-arms fire from anti-Afghan forces. The show of force was effective and deterred enemy action.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets near the town of Skinkay provided a show of force for a coalition force's patrol to deter enemy small-arms fire. The aircraft then continued to provide armed overwatch.

In Qalat, F/A-18Cs performed a show of force for a coalition force's patrol to deter enemy rocket fire. This stopped the rocket fire and the aircraft then continued to provide armed overwatch.

At Asadabad, F-15E aircraft were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested air support against anti-Afghan forces attacking with small-arms fire.

The aircraft directed multiple precision guided munitions on enemy fighting positions eliminating the threats.

F-15Es were providing armed overwatch again at Asadabad when friendly forces requested assistance to deter anti-Afghan force's activity in the local area. The Strike Eagles dropped precision guided munitions on the enemy. The mission was considered successful when anti-Afghan forces ceased fire on friendly forces.

Air Force F-16CJ Fighting Falcons were providing armed overwatch at Asmar when friendly forces requested assistance after enemy forces were confirmed massing in an open field. Enemy position was identified, confirmed and destroyed by precision guided munitions and cannon fire.

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

In total, 87 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 24 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-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. 

Approximately 157 airlift sorties were flown, 651 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,400 passengers were transported. This included about 105,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 56 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.3 million pounds of fuel to 263 receiving aircraft.