CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

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U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.

Coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air-support missions March 8 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Taji and Tall Afar.

In addition, 11 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Also, Air Force fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 22 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Gereshk.

Five Air Force and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew 165 airlift sorties, delivered 460 tons of cargo and transported 3,310 passengers.

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

On March 7 Air Force and RAF tankers flew 37 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.8 million pounds of fuel.