CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 19

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 19.

In Afghanistan Dec. 18, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted strikes against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The F-15Es expended guided bomb unit-12s and the B-1 expended GBU-31s and GBU-38s on enemy targets.

In total, 44 close-air-support missions were flown in support of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops, as well as reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, 13 Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, RAF GR-4 Tornados provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Baghdad.

Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Samarra.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Basrah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 38 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, 15 Air Force, Navy and RAF 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.

On Dec. 17, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew a medical evacuation mission in support of OEF. One Afghan National Army Soldier with injuries requiring urgent care was evacuated as a result of this mission.

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. More than 140 airlift sorties were flown; some 500 tons of cargo was delivered, and more than 2,200 passengers were transported.

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

On Dec. 17, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.3 million pounds of fuel.