CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 15

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 15.

In Afghanistan Dec. 14, French M-2000D Mirages provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad.

Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Now Zad.

In total, 32 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinities of Tikrit, Balad and Baghdad. The F-16s expended a guided bomb unit-38 and a GBU-12 on enemy positions near Balad.

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

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

In total, coalition aircraft flew 48 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 and Navy 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.

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 140 airlift sorties were flown; more than 1,180 tons of cargo was delivered, and about 2,110 passengers were transported.

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

On Dec. 13, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.4 million pounds of fuel.