Military

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 12

1/12/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 12.

In Afghanistan Jan 11, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gereshk. The A-10s expended a guided bomb unit-12 and general purpose 500-pound bombs on enemy positions.

A B-1B and A-10s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad.

A B-1B and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Musah Qal'eh.

RAF GR-7s provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt.

In total, 29 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator conducted a strike against anti-Iraqi forces near Balad. The aircraft expended a Hellfire missile against an enemy target. Predators provide "persistent stare" capability to follow an operation or a high-value target for a long period of time and, with a weapon ready, can strike immediiately.

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

In total, coalition aircraft flew 28 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, 11 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. More than 150 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 360 tons of cargo was delivered, and more than 3,070 passengers were transported. This included about 26,400 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 10, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 32 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.4 million pounds of fuel.