CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 18

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 18.

In Afghanistan Jan. 17, Air Force B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces in Carlson, Wama and Sangin.

Air Force F-15 Eagles provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Sangin. The F-15s expended guided bomb unit-12s on enemy positions.

Air Force F-15s and a B-1 provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Gereshk.

In total, 14 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, four Air Force and Royal Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan .

Airborne and space-based ISR assets play a key role in identifying enemy operating areas and analyzing trends of enemy activity in the area of responsibility.

In Iraq , Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Kirkuk, Baghdad and Tikrit.

Air Force F-15s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Balad.

RAF GR-4 Tornados provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Baghdad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 34 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, 13 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Herculeses and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. About 165 airlift sorties were flown; more than 585 tons of cargo was delivered, and nearly 3,920 passengers were transported. This included about 26,400 pounds of troop supplies air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 16, Air Force, RAF and French air force tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.3 million pounds of fuel.