CENTAF releases airpower summary

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released today's airpower summary report.

Coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air support missions Dec. 13 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Coalition aircraft also supported Iraqi and coalition ground forces operations focused on creating a secure environment for upcoming December parliamentary elections.

Air Force F-16 Falcons and F-15 Eagles flew air strikes near Baghdad. The F-16s successfully dropped precision-guided munitions to deny access to a bridge used by insurgents. The F-15s dropped precision-guided munitions against a bunker used by enemy forces.

Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support to Coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Balad.

In addition, 13 Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Also, Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed 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. They included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and the conduct of presence route patrols.

In addition, four Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Also, RAF fighter aircraft performed 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 throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew more than 180 airlift sorties, delivered about 490 tons of cargo and transported more than 2,600 passengers. This included approximately 8,000 pounds of troop re-supply airdropped in eastern Afghanistan and 8,000 pounds of civic aid to central Afghanistan.

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

On Dec. 12, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 36 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.5 million pounds of fuel