Military

CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

3/24/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.

Coalition aircraft flew 48 close-air-support missions March 23 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 Iskandariyah, Baghdad, Balad and Tikrit.

In addition, 15 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 18 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols.

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 160 airlift sorties, delivered 350 tons of cargo and transported 3,100 passengers.

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

On March 22 Air Force and RAF tankers flew 32 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.2 million pounds of fuel.