CENTAF releases airpower summary

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.

Coalition aircraft flew 58 close-air support missions Dec. 6 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Coalition aircraft also supported Iraqi and coalition ground forces operations focused on creating a secure environment for upcoming December parliamentary elections.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Bayji and Mosul.

In addition, 14 Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Also, Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 24 close-air support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and the conduct of presence route patrols.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and RAF Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition forces in contact with enemy troops near Deh Rawood. The A-10s successfully fired rockets to mark target positions and successfully strafed the enemy. The GR-7s successfully dropped bombs and fired rockets. 

Air Force A-10s and RAF GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition forces in contact with enemy troops near Gereshk and Oruzgan.

In addition, four Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Also, RAF fighter aircraft performed in a non-traditional ISR role.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew 145 airlift sorties, delivered 255 tons of cargo and transported 3,000 passengers. This included approximately 9,000 pounds of civic aid airdropped in eastern Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and South Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. C-130 crews from New Zealand flew in support of OEF.

On Dec. 5, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.2 million pounds of fuel.