Jan. 24 airpower summary: Recon aircraft keep eye on enemy

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s and guided bomb unit-38s onto an enemy compound. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the mission a success.

In Bagram, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto enemy combatant positions which were marked with smoke by coalition forces. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.

In Kandahar, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the area. The JTAC reported the mission as a success.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force near Orgune in order to deter enemy activities in the area. The mission was confirmed a success by the JTAC.

In total, 40 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Nine Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet dropped a GBU-38 onto a house-borne improvised explosive device near Baqubah. The JTAC reported the mission as successful.

A Navy F/A-18 Hornet successfully destroyed a weapons cache in the vicinity of Baghdad by dropping a GBU-38 on the target.

In Baqubah, a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in the area. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 52 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-two Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, two Navy aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. 

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 134 airlift sorties were flown; 362 tons of cargo were delivered, and 2,486 passengers were transported. This included approximately 28,480 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Iraq, Japan, and Korea flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 22, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 36 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2 million pounds of fuel to 139 receiving aircraft.