CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

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U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.

Coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air-support missions Dec. 20 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-16 Fighting Falcons and Navy F-14 Tomcats provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Balad. The F-16s strafed an enemy location and successfully dropped precision-guided munitions, while the F-14s successfully strafed insurgents preparing an improvised explosive device.

Other F-14s and F/A-18 Hornets provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Balad, Ramadi and Rawah.

In addition, 11 Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Also, 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.

An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress provided close air support to coalition forces in contact with enemy troops near Oruzgan.

In addition, six Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Also, Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a nontraditional ISR role.

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 200 airlift sorties, delivered 255 tons of cargo and transported 4,700 passengers.

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

On Dec. 19, Air Force tankers flew 31 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.1 million pounds of fuel.