CENTAF releases airpower summary for Feb. 5

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 5.

In Afghanistan Feb. 4, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers conducted a strike against enemy forces near Musa Qal'eh.

A GR-7 successfully expended an enhanced Paveway II munition at an enemy forces vehicle. The Predator successfully expended a Hellfire missile at an enemy fleeing the destroyed vehicle.

The vehicle carried a Taliban commander who was targeted in a precisely planned and well-executed operation in an isolated area outside the village of Musa Qala, said CENTAF officials. Several secondary explosions occurred after the air strike, indicating there were sources of explosives and ammunition in the vehicle. There was no injuries to the local population and minimal damage to the surrounding area.

"This key Taliban leader was well known to have commanded insurgents within the Musa Qal'eh District and was directly responsible for the recent uprising and insurgent attacks within the village of Musa Qal'eh," said Squadron Leader Dave Marsh, the spokesperson for Regional Command-South. "By his removal, the elders and people of Musa Qala have been protected."

Air Force F-15 Eagles provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Forward Operating Base Carlson.

Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Musa Qal'eh. The Hornets expended a GBU-12, a GBU-38 and cannon rounds on enemy positions.

Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Pashsbad. One of them successfully expended a GBU-12 on enemy forces.

Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Pashsbad and Musa Qal'eh.

A B-1B Lancer and RAF fighters provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Pashsbad. The B-1B successfully expended GBU-38s and GBU-31s on enemy positions and bunkers.

In total, 33 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, 12 Air Force, Navy and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq, F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Baqubah.

Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados also provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Balad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 26 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Additionally, 12 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. An Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a non-traditional ISR role with electro-optical and infrared sensors.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft 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 140 airlift sorties, delivered approximately 620 tons of cargo and transpoted approximately 3,650 passengers. This included about 23,800 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

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

On Feb. 3, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 27 sorties and off-loaded more than 1.6 million pounds of fuel.