Dec. 5 airpower summary

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Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 5 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Tirgari
Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided armed overwatch for a friendly forces ground operation. Air support was requested when friendly forces artillery fire split the enemy force into two groups. Precision-guided munitions were employed on the enemy positions when the enemy personnel started emplacing improvised explosive devices, destroying them and ending the threat to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:

No significant action to report in the last 24 hours.

Air Power Statistics:

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 144
Short tons of delivered cargo: 521
Passengers: nearly 3,800
Airdropped cargo: nearly 95,000 pounds

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 81
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 16

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 28
Sorties flown in Iraq: 26
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: 2 (USN)
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

Medical Evacuation:
On Dec. 4, Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk aircrews and pararescue Airmen transported 2 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 44
Fuel delivered: nearly 2.9 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 238