CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 30

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SOUTHWEST ASIA --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 30.

In Afghanistan Dec. 29, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The GR-7s expended general-purpose 500-pound bombs on enemy positions.

Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Lashkar Gah.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer and Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The B-1B expended a guided bomb unit-38 on an enemy position.

In total, 53 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, 10 Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq, RAF GR-4 Tornados, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad. One of the GR-4s expended an enhanced Paveway II munition on an enemy position.

Air Force F-16s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Hawijah and Tikrit.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 36 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, 16 Air Force, Navy and RAF 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 approximately 140 airlift sorties, delivered almost 490 tons of cargo and transported more than 2,040 passengers. This included more than 5,500 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 Dec. 28, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 31 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.1 million pounds of fuel.