The Week In Airpower  

In Afghanistan this week, 289 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

A total of 61 Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Air Force and Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq this week, Coalition aircraft flew 325 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions provided support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Additionally, 98 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Air Force and Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

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 993 airlift sorties were flown, which is 30 percent more flights then the average number of flights each day out of Los Angeles International Airport.

More than 2,497 tons of cargo were delivered, which is the equivalent of the total legal weight limit of 62 18-wheeler freight trucks.

Approximately 20,676 passengers were transported which is the equivalent of more then 44 Boeing 747s Airliners each with full seating capacity.

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

For the week, Air Force, Royal Air Force and French Air Force flew 186 sorties and off-loaded more than 17.1 million pounds of fuel which is the equivalent of more than 427 full Air Force Logistics Readiness fuel trucks.

FMI: www.af.mil