A B-1B Lancer receives fuel over Afghanistan from a KC-10 Extender. B-1Bs can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary. The B-1B is assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Squadron and the KC-10 is assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)
Jan. 27 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide overwatch
1/28/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition
airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq
and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during
operations Jan. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations
Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped several guided bombs
on high ground overlooking a coalition patrol's position, denying
anti-Afghan forces the ability to occupy it and emplace mortars. Enemy
forces had engaged the patrol using small arms and indirect fire.
Near Balocan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper dropped a guided bomb unit-12 on
a group of enemy personnel rigging an improvised explosive device on a
local highway.
An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force near Bagram
to deter enemy activity near a coalition patrol. A coalition aircraft
near Lashkar Gah performed a similar mission, expending flares, in
order to discourage enemy attack on coalition soldiers there.
In the vicinity of Garmser, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flew a
show of force to deter enemy action. The Thunderbolt II also performed
route surveillance to ensure the safe passage of a coalition convoy.
On-scene joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.
In total, 54 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the
ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route
patrols.
Sixteen 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 37 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, three 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 135 airlift sorties were flown, more than 400 tons of
cargo was delivered and about 3,200 passengers were transported. This
included approximately 75,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in
Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Jan. 26, Air Force tanker crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded
approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 225 receiving aircraft.
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