CENTAF releases airpower summary

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

Coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air support missions Dec. 4 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They supported 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.

Sixteen Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Also, Royal Air Force fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 28 close-air support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities, and the conduct of presence route patrols.

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

Four Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

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 about 165 airlift sorties, delivered more than 250 tons of cargo, and transported about 3,100 passengers.

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

On Dec. 3, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 34 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.2 million pounds of fuel.