US Air Force,
Southwest Asia: In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, a B-1B Lancer and a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle responded to coalition forces taking small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt. The B-1B expended precision-guided joint direct attack munitions on the enemy positions, ending the engagement.
In a separate engagement, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a Predator UAV responded to coalition forces taking small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from Taliban extremists near Deh Rawood. The Predator expended Hellfire missiles on the enemy positions, killing four extremists and ending the engagement.
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.
A-10s also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Bagram Air Base.
Four Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 32 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.
F-16s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Ramadi and Samarra.
In addition, 15 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq .
Air Force rescue crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew two missions in support of OEF. Two patients with life-threatening injuries were saved as a result of these missions.
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, transported 440 tons of cargo and transported 1,800 passengers. This included 17,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in northeastern Afghanistan .
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia flew in support of either OIF or OEF.
On May 31, Air Force and Royal Air Force tankers flew 35 sorties and off-loaded almost 2 million pounds of fuel.
