CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 6

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 6.

In Afghanistan Dec. 5, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The aircraft expended a Hellfire missile on the enemy target.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, U.S. Navy F/A-18s and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-38s; the A-10s expended general-purpose 500-pound bombs and cannon rounds; the F/A-18s expended GBU-12s and cannon rounds; and the GR-7s expended an enhanced Paveway II munition on enemy positions.

An Air Force B-1B, Navy F/A-18s and RAF GR-7s provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kajaki Dam.

In total, 46 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

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

In total, coalition aircraft flew 33 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, 14 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

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. More than 130 airlift sorties were flown; more than 300 tons of cargo was delivered, and nearly 3,490 passengers were transported.

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

On Dec. 4, Air Force, RAF and Singaporean tankers flew 28 sorties and off-loaded more than 1.9 million pounds of fuel.