Aug. 2 airpower summary: HH-60G transports medevac patients

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

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces when they started receiving small-arms fire from anti-Afghan forces near Sangin. The A-10s engaged in a show of force that caused the anti-Afghan forces to cease fire and retreat.

A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used precision guided munitions on a tree line enemy position to end small-arms fire on friendly forces near Gereshk. The aircraft then launched a show of force to keep other enemy forces retreating after they had been routed from their position by friendly forces.

Near Mushan, A-10 aircraft providing armed overwatch engaged in a show of force when friendly forces encountered heavy-weapons fire and were hit by an improvised explosive device detonation. The aircraft then took action by dropping a precision-guided munition on the enemy force's position. The threat was eliminated.

There were shows of force by coalition and U.S. aircraft near the town of Gereshk that enabled friendly forces to disengage from enemy small-arms fire. Then an imminent threat to the friendly forces was observed and a combat strafe of cannon fire eliminated the threat.

At Asadabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces requested a show of force to deter anti-Afghan force's activity in the local area. The show of force was deemed successful when anti-Afghan forces were observed retreating.

Navy F/A-18C Hornets were providing armed overwatch at Lashkar Gah when anti-coalition forces were observed digging beside a road. A show of force was requested and deemed successful when the anti-coalition forces retreated abandoning the dig site. Shortly after, friendly forces came under small-arms fire from the same anti-coalition forces from a tree line position. A strafing run of cannon fire was conducted and declared successful when the small-arms fire ceased.

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

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

Twenty-four 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 22 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-five 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 148 airlift sorties were flown, 329 tons of cargo was delivered and about 3,400 passengers were transported. This included about 156,780 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On Aug. 1, Air Force HH-60G 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 HH-60G 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 aerial refueling crews flew 54 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 224 receiving aircraft.