CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 22

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 22.

In Afghanistan Nov. 21, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Sangin. The GR-7s expended rockets on enemy positions.

Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Kandahar.

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

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

In total, 48 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. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Musayyib and Baghdad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 30 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 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 110 airlift sorties, delivered 300 tons of cargo and transported 2,160 passengers.

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

On Nov. 20, U.S. and RAF tankers flew 38 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.7 million pounds of fuel.