CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 16

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 16.

In Afghanistan Jan. 15, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Qurya. The B-1B dropped guided bomb unit-31s and GBU-38s on enemy positions. The A-10s dropped general-purpose 500-pound bombs, GBU-12s and fired cannon rounds.

Air Force A-10s also provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Musah Qal'eh. The A-10s dropped GBU-12s and MK-82s on enemy positions.

An Air Force B-1B and Royal Air Force M2000Ds provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Nurestan.

In total, 35 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 provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Basrah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 30 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 and Navy 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. They flew more than 140 airlift sorties; delivered more than 335 tons of cargo and transported 4,270 passengers. This includes about 42,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan .

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

On Jan. 14, Air Force and Royal Air Force tankers flew 34 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.2 million pounds of fuel.