CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 24

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 24.

In Afghanistan Jan. 23, Air Force F-15 Eagles provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Ghazni.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and French M2000D Mirages provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Oruzgan. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-31s on enemy positions.

An Air Force B-1B and RAF GR-7s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Qalat.

In total, 23 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, six 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 and RAF GR-4 Tornados provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad.

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

In total, coalition aircraft flew 44 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, 11 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. An Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown; more than 220 tons of cargo was delivered, and about 4,510 passengers were transported. This included about 14,400 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

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

Coalition Air Forces play a critical role in supporting day-to-day ground operations by providing both close-air support and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, allowing the successful execution of these ground operations.

On Jan. 22, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 32 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.1 million pounds of fuel.