March 17-23: The week in airpower

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  In Afghanistan this week 310 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Fifty-five Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions were flown 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 443 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, 98 Air Force and Navy ISR sorties were flown 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 and C-17 GLobemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. About 1,131 airlift sorties were flown.

More than 2,681 tons of cargo were delivered, which is the equivalent of the total legal weight limit of over 67 18-wheeler freight trucks.

Approximately 22,103 passengers were transported which is the equivalent of more then 44 Boeing 747s airliners filled to their maximum seating capacity.

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

For the week, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 289 sorties and off-loaded more than 19.3 million pounds of fuel, which is the equivalent of more than 482 full Air Force logistics readiness fuel trucks.