CENTAF releases airpower summary for May 24

Posted on: May. 25th, 2006 || Source: af.mil | E-mail Article | Print Article

5/25/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.

In Afghanistan May 24, a B-1B Lancer and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to coalition forces taking small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The B-1B expended precision-guided joint direct attack munitions, ending the engagement.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 26 Operation Enduring Freedom close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols.

A-10s and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Jalalabad and Kandahar.

Five Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. French fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crews flew two rescue missions in support of OEF May 24.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 56 Operation Iraqi Freedom close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

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 Iskandariyah, Al Taji and Samarra.

In addition, 14 Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

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 150 airlift sorties, transported 2,160 passengers and delivered 450 tons of cargo including nearly 14,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On May 23, Air Force and French tankers flew 38 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.6 million pounds of fuel.

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