CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 29

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 29.

In Afghanistan Jan. 28, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near forward operating bases Carlson and Tillman.

In total, 21 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, seven Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan .

In Iraq , Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Najaf. The F-16s expended guided bomb unit-12s, a GBU-38, strafes and cannon rounds on enemy positions. The A-10s expended GBU-12s, rockets and cannon rounds.

"USCENTAF and the combined air component commander forces will continue to provide support to the Iraqi government in their efforts to build a new Iraq . We are committed to helping the Iraqi people establish a safe and secure country," said Lt. Gen. Gary North, CENTAF commander.

Air Force F-16s also provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Mosul and Baghdad .

Air Force A-10s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Samarra and Baghdad .

RAF GR-4s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Yusufyiah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 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.

Additionally, 17 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq . An Air Force fighter performed in a non-traditional ISR role with electro-optical and infrared sensors.

United States Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan , Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Nearly 160 airlift sorties were flown; about 280 tons of cargo was delivered, and about 3,445 passengers were transported. This included more than 22,300 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan .

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Canada flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On Jan. 27, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 27 sorties and off-loaded almost 1.8 million pounds of fuel.