CENTAF releases airpower summary for May 8

Published: Tue May 9th, 2006
Source: www.af.mil

5/9/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.

In Afghanistan May 8, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle successfully struck an enemy cave complex near Shkin. The aircraft expended precision-guided munitions on the target, killing four extremists and effectively sealing the cave.

Prior to the strike, a joint Afghan National Army and U.S. ground forces team observed individuals loading a truck and determined that the personnel were moving rockets from the cave. The unit assessed that the activity was linked to recent rocket attacks on a coalition base nearby. A later patrol discovered two destroyed trucks near the cave with two 107mm rockets inside.

Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan conducted all operations inside Afghanistan and in direct coordination with Pakistan Army forces nearby.

Air Force A-10s also provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Khowst. Coalition aircraft flew a total of 30 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, including support to coalition and Afghan troops and presence route patrols.

Nine Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with enemy forces, after the origin of mortar fire was identified near Balad. The F-16s successfully struck the position with a precision-guided munition, effectively bringing the terrorist activity to an end.

Air Force F-15 Eagles and Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad, Balad and Bayji. In all, coalition aircraft flew a total of 58 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Fourteen Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Navy fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

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, transported 3,320 passengers and delivered 450 tons of cargo including 33,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On May 7, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 34 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.5 million pounds of fuel.
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CENTAF releases airpower summary for May 8

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