Nov. 16 airpower summary: Predator provides armed reconnaissance
11/17/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition
airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq
and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during
operations Nov. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations
Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper and an Air Force MQ-1B
Predator used Hellfire missiles against anti-Afghan forces who were
placing IEDs along a route in the vicinity of Bolocan. The missions
were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.
In the vicinity of Bari Kowt, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a
guided bomb unit-31 and GBU-38s on enemy fighters who were attacking
coalition forces from behind a tree line. A JTAC declared the mission
successful.
Coalition aircraft performed shows of force and provided armed aerial
overwatch for coalition ground forces conducting IED search operations
near Shurakian. A JTAC declared the missions successful.
In the vicinity of Ghazni, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a
show of force to deter enemy activities and provided armed aerial
overwatch for coalition forces conducting operations. A JTAC confirmed
the mission successful.
Coalition aircraft conducted shows of force to deter anti-Afghan
activity in the vicinity of Garmsir and Morghab. The JTACs reported the
missions successful.
In total, 51 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the
ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route
patrols.
Thirteen Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.
Additionally, two coalition aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 45 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. Additionally, four Air Force and coalition 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 450 tons of
cargo were delivered and nearly 3,700 passengers were transported. This
included approximately 71,500 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in
Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Nov. 15, Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 42 sorties and
off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 246 receiving
aircraft.