CENTAF releases air power summary

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

Coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air support missions Dec. 5 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, an MQ-1 Predator and Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Balad and Ramadi.

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

In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 23 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 flew air-strikes near Qalat. They successfully fired rockets to mark target positions, dropped general purpose 500-pound bombs and strafed an enemy position.

Air Force A-10s, a B-52 Stratofortress and an RAF Harriers GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition forces in contact with enemy troops near Deh Rawood and Qalat.

In addition, five Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. RAF fighter aircraft also flew 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 more than 160 airlift sorties, delivered about 265 tons of cargo and transported nearly 2,600 passengers.

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

On Dec. 4, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.2 million pounds of fuel.