CENTAF releases daily airpower summary Published Dec. 23, 2005 Central Command Air Forces Forward Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition aircraft flew 34 close-air-support missions Dec. 22 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Air Force F-15 Eagles provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Samarra. The fighters successfully dropped a precision-guided munition against an insurgent’s bunker. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Balad. The fighters successfully dropped two precision-guided munitions against an enemy position. Other Air Force F-16s provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Bayji, Kirkuk and Tikrit. In addition, 11 Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Also, Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a nontraditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 21 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and the conduct of presence route patrols. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close air support to coalition forces in contact with enemy troops near Orgun-E. The A-10s successfully strafed an enemy position. Other Air Force A-10s provided close air support to coalition forces in contact with enemy troops near Asadabad. The A-10s successfully dropped a general-purpose 500-pound bomb and successfully strafed insurgent positions. In addition, four Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew 195 airlift sorties, delivered 360 tons of cargo and transported 3,800 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia flew in support of OEF. On Dec. 21, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 35 sorties and off-loaded nearly 2.2 million pounds of fuel.