CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 25

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 25.

In Afghanistan Dec. 24, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The B-1 expended guided bomb unit-38s and GBU-31s on enemy positions.

An Air Force B-1 provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad.

In total, 17 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Additionally, four 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 and F-15Es provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad and Basrah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 34 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. They flew 115 airlift sorties, delivered 535 tons of cargo and transported 2,040 passengers. This included more than 4,200 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

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

On Dec.23, U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force tankers flew 31 sorties and off-loaded almost 1.9 million pounds of fuel.