The pace of air operations in Southwest Asia in 2005 was brisk, according to year-end statistics just released by US Central Command Air Forces. More than 75,000 USAF airmen at 12 deployed locations in the theater took part in historic events, setting new records along with their coalition partners. CENTAF reports that coalition air forces flew more than 13,000 close air support sorties, 6,000 ISR missions, 12,500 tanker sorties, and 50,870 airlift sorties. Air mobility forces moved more than 4,700 troops on Dec. 20 and 1,115 tons of cargo on Feb. 27—both setting one day records.
The Air Force Historical Foundation has recognized two Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber wings among the winners of its 2025-2026 prestigious annual awards, selecting both for their part in Operation Midnight Hammer, the daring raid on Iran’s fortified nuclear weapons sites.
