CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 17

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 17.

In Afghanistan Jan. 16, 19 close-air support missions were flown in support of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, 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-15 Eagles provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Basrah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 32 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, 15 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq .

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan , Iraq and the Horn of Africa. More than 140 airlift sorties were flown; more than 350 tons of cargo was delivered, and about 1,960 passengers were transported. Airlift speeds the delivery of people and cargo, reducing the number of ground convoys needed and limiting servicemembers exposure to Improvised Explosive Devices.

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

On Jan. 15, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 32 sorties and off-loaded about 1.9 million pounds of fuel.