CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 29

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 29.

In Afghanistan Dec. 28, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. One of the A-10s expended a guided bomb unit-12 on an enemy position.

French M2000D Mirages provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Sangin.

Air Force A-10s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Khowst.

In total, 35 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, nine Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, U.S. Marine F/A-18 Hornets conducted a strike against anti-Iraqi forces near Al Jazirah. The F/A-18s expended a GBU-12 and rockets on enemy targets.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted a strike against anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Fallujah. The F-16s expended GBU-38s on enemy targets.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad.

Air Force F-15Es 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, 14 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. Approximately 125 airlift sorties were flown; more than 380 tons of cargo was delivered, and more than 1,700 passengers were transported. This included about 17,000 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 Dec. 27, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 25 sorties and off-loaded more than 1.6 million pounds of fuel.