March 31 - 6 April: The week in airpower

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released this weekly airpower summary April 8. 

In Afghanistan this week ,245 close-air-support missions were flown in support of  International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew 57 missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. U.S. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq this week, coalition aircraft flew 391 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions provided support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. 

Additionally, Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew 118 missions in support of operations in Iraq. Air Force and Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. About 1,051 airlift sorties were flown.

More than 3,739 tons of cargo were delivered, which is the equivalent of the total legal weight limit of more than 93 18-wheeler freight trucks.

Approximately 19,943 passengers were transported which is the equivalent of more then 42 Boeing 747 airliners each filled to its seating capacity.

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

For the week, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 269 sorties and off-loaded more than 16.7 million pounds of fuel which is the equivalent of more than 440 full Air Force fuel trucks.