Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft provide intra-theater airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)
In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flew armed reconnaissance in the Jalalabad area for friendly forces. When the location of a downed helicopter was confirmed and coordinates passed, a precision-guided munition was released on the wreckage to prevent the enemy from obtaining information or parts from the wreckage.
An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper was in the vicinity of Chahar Bagh providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces patrol when enemy forces were spotted carrying a large weapon and a request for air power assistance was made. Coordinates for the enemy position were confirmed and a rocket was fired eliminating, the threat.
Near Asadabad, F-15E aircraft were providing overwatch for a friendly forces patrol. When the patrol reported taking enemy fire, a request for air power support was made and the coordinates were confirmed for the enemy position. Precision-guided munitions were employed to successfully destroy the enemy position.
In the vicinity of Bastion, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were providing armed overwatch for a coalition forces operation. Shows of force to continue deterrence of any enemy action were requested and performed with total success.
F-15E aircraft were providing armed overwatch in the vicinity of Asmar for friendly forces. A show of force was performed to deter enemy activity and reassure friendly forces.
Other F-15E aircraft were providing armed overwatch for a friendly forces foot patrol. When the patrol reported receiving enemy fire from a treeline position, a show of force was requested to deter the enemy action. A show of force was conducted, with flares expended, and the mision was declared successful.
Twenty-nine Air Force, Navy and coalition intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.
In total, 67 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. These missions also integrated and synchronized with ground forces, provided overwatch and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities
In Iraq, 21 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In total, 18 close-air-support missions were flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.
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.
Air Force airlift crews flew 159 airlift sorties, delivered 520 short tons of cargo and transported about 3,300 passengers. Airlift included about 60,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
On Oct. 23, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 26 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.
Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 192 receiving aircraft.
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