Dec. 3 airpower summary

Dec. 3 airpower summary: A-10 bombs anti-Afghan forces

An A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a combat mission over Afghanistan providing armed aerial overwatch for coalition forces. A-10s provide close-air support and employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) Download HiRes

12/4/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb unit-38 and fired rockets against anti-Afghan forces who were firing rocket-propelled grenades and mortars at coalition forces from behind a tree line in the vicinity of Nurestan. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

In the vicinity of Shurakian and Musa Qal Eh, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets conducted shows of force to deter enemy fighters and provided armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy conducting clearance patrols in the area. The JTACs declared the missions successful.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial overwatch for the coalition forces near a district center in the vicinity of Gardez. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

In the vicinity of Sangin, Navy F/A-18C Hornets performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter anti-Afghan forces from firing at coalition forces conducting foot patrol operations in the area. The JTACs confirmed the missions successful.

A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Now Zad. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

In total, 70 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eighteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator used Hellfire missiles against anti-coalition members hiding in a river bed after using RPGs against coalition forces near Kirkuk. A JTAC declared the mission successful.

In the vicinity of Baghdad Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons performed shows of force and provided armed aerial overwatch to deter enemy forces from firing at coalition forces conducting foot patrol operations in the area. The missions were reported a success by the JTACs.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 21 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. Additionally, 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 140 airlift sorties were flown, more than 440 tons of cargo were delivered and nearly 3,600 passengers were transported. This included approximately 57,700 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 2, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 241 receiving aircraft.