CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 23

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 23.

In Afghanistan Dec. 22, an Air Force Predator and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted strikes against Taliban extremists near Bagram. The Predator expended a Hellfire missile and the A-10s expended a general-purpose, 500-pound bomb, guided bomb unit-12s and cannon rounds on enemy positions.

Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Now Zad. The GR-7s expended 540-pound bombs on enemy positions.

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

An Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh.

French Air Force M-2000D provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Gereshk.

In total, 39 close-air support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, seven U.S. Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq , F-15Es and F-16 Fighting Falcons, Marine Corps F/A-18Ds and Royal Air Force GR-4s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 24 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, 13 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 139 airlift sorties, delivered more than 540 tons of cargo and transported more than 1,800 passengers.

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

On Dec. 21, Air Force, Royal Air Force and French Air Force tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.5 million pounds of fuel.