CENTAF releases airpower summary

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

In Afghanistan July 4, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and French Air Force M-2000s provided close-air support for coalition forces taking small arms fire from Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Deh Rawood. The M-2000s expended a Guided Bomb Unit-12 on the extremists' location, ending the engagement. Additionally, two Air Force B-1B Lancers provided close-air support to troops in contact near Deh Rawood.

In a separate engagement, Air Force A-10s provided close-air support to coalition troops taking small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Oruzgan. The A-10s dropped general-purpose 500-pound bombs and conducted several strafing passes, expending cannon rounds on enemy positions and ending the engagement. An Air Force B-1B also provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan.

Air Force A-10s also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces in the vicinities of Asadabad and Khowst.

A B-1B also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Gereshk.

Additionally, six Air Force and French Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 25 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-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Salman Pak.

Additionally, 13 Air Force, U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 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 4, U.S. Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew one medical evacuation mission in support of OEF. One Canadian military member 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. Approximately 160 airlift sorties were flown; more than 320 tons of cargo were delivered, and some 2,380 passengers were transported.

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

On July 4, U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force tankers flew 41 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.5 million pounds of fuel.

During the month of June, 10 Space Support Requests, or SSRs, were supported for OIF, delivering 75 specific effects.

For OEF, 13 SSRs were serviced, delivering 196 specific effects.

The Air Force also provided coalition forces with 24-hour Global Positioning System data for precision navigation, timing and targeting and adjusted the constellation continuously to preserve accuracy in response to three different GPS satellite problems.