CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 21

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 21.

In Afghanistan Jan. 20, Air Force B-1B Lancers and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in enemy contact near Qurya. The B-1Bs expended guided bomb unit-31s and GBU-38s on enemy positions. The GR-7s expended rockets on enemy positions.

Air Force B-1Bs and RAF GR-7s provided close-air support for ISAF troops in enemy contact near Kandahar. The GR-7s expended rockets and a general-purpose 500-pound bomb on enemy positions.

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

Additionally, eight 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 F-15 Eagles provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Karballa.

Air Force F-16s, A-10s and RAF GR-4 Tornados provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad. The GR-4s expended cannon rounds on enemy positions.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 60 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, 10 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Air Force fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew about 125 airlift sorties, transported 3,090 passengers, and delivered nearly 290 tons of cargo including about 7,800 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 19, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 29 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.3 million pounds of fuel.