CENTAF release airpower summary

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 24.

In Afghanistan July 23, French Air Force M-2000s and Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops ambushed and taking small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The M-2000s conducted passes, firing rockets, and GR-7s made passes, firing rockets and expending a general purpose 500-pound bomb on the extremists' positions, ending the engagement.

An Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh and Oruzgan.

Additionally, nine Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 24 close air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq , Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Hawijah.

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

Additionally, 13 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force 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.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 42 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.

On July 22, an Air Force rescue and medical crew on an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter flew one medical evacuation mission in support of OEF. The crew evacuated one local national patient with injuries requiring urgent care.

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. They flew approximately 170 airlift sorties, delivered almost 270 tons of cargo and transported 3,530 passengers. This included more than 47,200 pounds of troop re-supply airdropped in southern and eastern Afghanistan. In addition, theater C-5 Galaxy aircraft and C-17s flew two missions, transporting 176,155 pounds of equipment and supplies in support of the U.S. Central Command's assisted departure of Americans from Lebanon July 23.

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

On July 22, Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force tankers flew 38 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.5 million pounds of fuel.