CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 14

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 14.

In Afghanistan Jan. 13, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near forward operating base Carlson.

A B-1B provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Sangin. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-31s and a GBU-38 on enemy positions. The GBU-38's smaller warhead provides planners an all-weather precision strike capability that is very well suited for missions where collateral damage is a factor.

A-10s and Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Musah Qal'eh. The A-10s expended GBU-12s and cannon rounds on enemy positions.

In total, 33 close-air support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, two 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 Tal Afar.

Royal Air Force GR4s also provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Basrah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 26 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, nine Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Navy 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 intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew approximately 155 airlift sorties, delivered more than 400 tons of cargo and transported more than 3,300 passengers. This included about 14,400 pounds of troop re-supply airdropped in eastern Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On Jan. 12, Air Force, Royal Air Force and French Air Force tankers flew 26 sorties and off-loaded more than 1.6 million pounds of fuel.