Jan. 16 airpower summary: Tankers fuel the fleet

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

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

Five Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s on enemy structures in the vicinity of Baghdad. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the missions as a success.

In Baqubah, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device using GBU-38s. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

In Khan Bani Sa'd, a house-borne IED, and a VBIED were destroyed by F-16s using GBU-38s. The JTAC declared the missions were successful. 

A show of force was performed by an F-16 to deter enemy activities in Khan Bani Sa'd . The JTAC reported the mission was a success.

In Baqubah, an F-16s dropped GBU-12s and GBU-38s in order to destroy HBIEDs. The JTAC confirmed the success of the missions.

Navy F-18 Super Hornets destroyed an IED and an enemy weapons cache using GBU-12s and GBU-38s in Baqubah. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.

North of Babil, F-18s dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy HBIEDs. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

North of Babil, shows of force were performed by F-16s in order to deter enemy activities. The JTAC reported the mission was a success.

A show of force was performed by an F-16 in order to deter enemy activities in Tall Afar. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 65 close-air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-three Air Force, Navy, and RAF intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally four Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. 

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

Approximately 109 airlift sorties were flown; 205 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,132 passengers were transported. This included approximately 39,930 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 15, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.0 million pounds of fuel to 191 receiving aircraft.