CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 13

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 13.

In Afghanistan Dec. 12, Air Force MQ-1 Predators conducted strikes against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The Predators expended Hellfire missiles on enemy targets.

Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The GR-7s expended enhanced Paveway II and Paveway II munitions, general-purpose 500-pound bombs and rockets on enemy positions.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad and Orgun-e.

In total, 31 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8 Harriers conducted a strike against anti-Iraqi forces near Ramadi. The F/A-18s and AV-8s expended rockets on enemy targets.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad. The F-15Es expended cannon rounds on enemy positions.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Baghdad.

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

In total, coalition aircraft flew 42 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, 16 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Navy and Air Force 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. They flew more than 140 airlift sorties, delivered approximately 520 tons of cargo and transported more than 2,500 passengers. This included about 9,200 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 11, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.3 million pounds of fuel.