July 25 airpower summary: A-10 provides armed overwatch

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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 July 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Asadabad, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II's provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Enemy forces opened heavy small-arms fire trapping the friendly forces. The A-10's provided several strafing runs on the enemy positions and then dropped several guided bomb unit-38's which stopped the enemy engagement.

Several Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were in the vicinity of Asadabad to provide friendly forces with air cover. The F-15E's provided support through shows of force for friendly forces under imminent threat from enemy forces. These shows of force deterred enemy fire on the friendly forces.

At Sangin, coalition aircraft provided cover for friendly forces. The aircrew witnessed enemy forces leave a known enemy position and gather at a friendly forces position where they prepared to attack. The aircraft released ordnance on the enemy thwarting any attack on the friendly forces.

A friendly force's patrol requested support from F-15E's that were providing armed overwatch at Konduz after they started receiving small-arms fire. The F-15E's provided a show of force expending flares over the enemy position which ended the enemy small-arms fire.

Asadabad was provided with a show of force by F-15E's after friendly forces started receiving small-arms fire from enemy forces.

F-15E's provided shows of force at Ghazni when enemy forces engaged a convoy that had been struck with an improvised explosive device. The enemy fire ceased after the show of force.

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

In total, 71 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 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-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.

Approximately 40 airlift sorties were flown, 1,212 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,726 passengers were transported. This included about 61,200 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On July 24, 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-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 57 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 268 receiving aircraft.