CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 5

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

In Afghanistan Dec. 4, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets 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 Sangin. The F/A-18s expended guided bomb unit-12s and a GBU-38 and the GR-7s expended rockets on enemy positions.

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

In total, 16 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, nine Air Force, Navy 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 Bayji and Baghdad.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Iskandariyah and Baghdad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 34 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, 18 Air Force, Navy, RAF and Royal Australian Air Force 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 110 airlift sorties were flown; more than 330 tons of cargo was delivered, and about 2,150 passengers were transported.

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

On Dec. 3, Air Force, RAF and Singaporean tankers flew 31 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.1 million pounds of fuel.