CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 22

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 22.

In Afghanistan Dec 21, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The A-10s expended guided bomb unit-12 and cannon rounds on enemy positions.

An Air Force B-1B provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar.

In total, 41 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.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of At Timm and Baghdad.

Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Iskandariyah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 35 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, 11 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

On Dec. 20, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew a medical evacuation mission in support of OEF. One Afghan local national with injuries requiring urgent care was evacuated as a result of this mission.

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. About 135 airlift sorties were flown; more than 330 tons of cargo was delivered, and about 1,925 passengers were transported. This included more than 18,700 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 20, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 32 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.4 million pounds of fuel.