CENTAF releases airpower summary for June 5

Published: Tue June 6th, 2006 via: www.af.mil

6/6/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 5.

In Afghanistan June 4, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer responded to coalition forces taking mortar, rocket-propelled-grenade and small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Qalat. The B-1 expended precision-guided joint direct attack munitions, ending the engagement. A-10s also responded to troops in contact near Tarin Kowt.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 20 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 37 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.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-15 Eagles and Royal Air Force Tornado GR-4s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Mahmudiyah and Ramadi.

In addition, 12 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

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 160 airlift sorties, delivered 380 tons of cargo and transported 2,000 passengers. This included 7,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in southeast Afghanistan.

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

On June 4, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force and French tankers flew 37 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.2 million pounds of fuel.