CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 4

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 4.

In Afghanistan Dec. 3, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and French Air Force M-2000Ds provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar.

In total, 24 close-air support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, five Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance 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, RAF GR-4 Tornados conducted a strike against anti-Iraqi forces placing an IED in the vicinity of Basrah.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad, Mosul and Balad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 36 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, 16 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Air Force 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 intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 120 airlift sorties were flown; about 340 tons of cargo was delivered, and more than 2,900 passengers were transported.

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

On Dec. 2, Air Force, RAF and French air force tankers flew 31 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.1 million pounds of fuel.