Coalition Aircrews Fly Combat, Support Missions Dec. 27

American Forces Press Service ^ | Dec 28, 2005

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2005 – U.S. and coalition aircrews flew combat and support missions Dec. 27 in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward officials reported. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 36 close air support missions. U.S. Air Force F-16s destroyed enemy positions and vehicles near Hawijah with precision-guided munitions. F-15s and F-16s provided close air support to coalition troops near Balad. The F-15s struck an enemy mortar location, and the F-16s hit an insurgent building.

Eleven U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in Iraq. British Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a nontraditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Afghanistan, 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 the conduct of presence route patrols.

Five U.S. Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a nontraditional ISR role.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa. About 200 airlift sorties delivered 405 tons of cargo and carried more than 2,500 passengers.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and the Republic of Korea also flew in support of coalition operations.

(From a U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news release.)

[JOE43270]

Thanks for the news SandRat. Those fast movers, the F-15's and F-16's always get the fame and they should. Those heavies are the were my heart is because they are the ones I always worked on. Thanks SandRat.