July 19 airpower summary: Pave Hawks save lives

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Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Konduz, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II's provided shows of force on enemy positions. Enemy troops in these positions were directing small-arms fire on friendly forces. All weapons fire from the enemy positions ceased with the shows of force.

At Sangin, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles rolled in to provide cover for friendly forces taking small-arms fire. Numerous shows of force quelled the enemy fire.

A-10's at Soltani provided cover for friendly forces taking small-arms fire. Shows of force provided by the A-10 aircraft ended the skirmish.

An enemy position at Asmar was destroyed by A-10's.  Enemy forces at the position had been firing small arms on coalition and friendly forces. This was accomplished with the release of several GBU-38's on the enemy positions. Armed overwatch was provided for several more hours.

Near Konduz, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator provided air support to friendly forces. An enemy position was assaulting friendly forces with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. An AGM -114 Hellfire missile was fired on the position and all enemy fire ceased.

In the vicinity of Asadabad, A-10's performed armed overwatch which included shows of force when friendly forces came under small-arms fire from an enemy position. After numerous flares were expended, the enemy fire stopped.

Coalition aircraft provided Qalat with a show of force against enemy forces directing small-arms fire at friendly forces. The small-arms fire ceased at the conclusion of the show of force.

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

Twenty-five 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 total, 74 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 20 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-nine 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, 1,064 tons of cargo were delivered and about 2,849 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 128,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

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

On July 18, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported five 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 51 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 224 receiving aircraft.