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Airpower Summary for December 8

  • Published
  • Combined Air and Space Operations Center
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Dec. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force Harrier GR-9 fired rockets against enemy positions in Musa Qal'eh. Coalition troops were in hostile action against enemy combatants. The mission was reported successful as the rockets impacted the intended targets.

Guided Bomb Unit-12s and Cannon rounds were fired from Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs against enemy positions in Musa Qal'eh. Coalition forces were engaged in hostile fire from enemy compounds and trench positions. The strike was declared successful as the munitions destroyed the targets.

Enemy personnel were engaged by an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper using GBU-12s and hellfire missiles west of Kandahar. The enemy was observed regrouping in the area. The mission was assessed as successful.

An Air Force B1-B Lancer dropped a GBU-31 against an enemy rocket position in Nowzad. The Joint Terminal Attack Controller reported the strike successful as the enemy fire ceased.

Air Force F-15Es dropped a GBU-38 and GBU-12s to suppress enemy positions in Garmsir. The JTAC confirmed enemy activities ceased.

F-15Es dropped GBU-12s against enemy positions in Musa Qal'eh. The mission was assessed as successful by the JTAC.

A show of force was successfully performed by an F-15E to deter enemy activities west of Kandahar.

In total, 45 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Six Air Force Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in Mosul. The JTAC reported the mission as successful.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 49 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported Coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-three Air Force, Navy, and Royal Air Force Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 129 airlift sorties were flown; 288 tons of cargos were delivered, and 3,696 passengers were transported. This included approximately 43,200 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, and Iraq flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Dec. 7, U.S. Air Force, French, and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 218 receiving aircraft.