U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released today’s air power summary report.

Coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air-support missions Dec. 29 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Ar Ramadi and Balad. In Ar Ramadi, the fighters strafed the target and dropped one precision-guided munition against a bunker used by insurgents. In Balad, other F-16s successfully dropped a precision-guided munition against an enemy mortar-firing location.

In addition, 11 Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Royal Air Force fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 20 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-52 Stratofortress provided close air support to coalition forces in contact with enemy troops near Gereshk.

In addition, five Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. RAF fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR role.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew 185 airlift sorties, delivered 330 tons of cargo and transported 2,700 passengers.

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

On Dec. 28, U.S. Air Force and RAF tankers flew 28 sorties and off-loaded more than 1.9 million pounds of fuel.