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Airpower Summary for January 20

  • Published
  • Combined Air and Space Operations
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Jan. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped Guided Bomb Unit-38s on a Taliban commander compound destroying the compound and killing the commanders inside. The Joint Terminal Attack Controller confirmed the success of the mission.

In Bagram, a show of force was performed by an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle in order to deter enemy activities. The mission was declared successful by the JTAC.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Bermel. The JTAC declared that the missions were successful.

In Kandahar, a French Mirage F-1 CR performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities. The success of the mission was confirmed by the JTAC.

In Musa Qal'eh, shows of force were performed by British GR.7 Harriers in order to deter enemy activities. The JTAC declared the mission was successful.

In total, 43 close air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force and Royal Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Navy F/A-18C Hornets, F/A-18 Super Hornets, and a B-1B dropped GBU-31s and GBU-38s in order to destroy Improvised Explosive Devices, House-Borne IEDs and an enemy weapons cache. The JTAC declared the missions were successful.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and British Tornado GR-4s performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Basrah. The JTAC confirmed the missions were successful.

In North Babil, a show of force was performed by a GR-4 in order to deter enemy activities. The JTAC declared the mission successful.

In Mosul, an F-16 dropped a GBU-38 in order to destroy two IED emplacers. The mission was reported successful by the JTAC.

In Balad, a show of force was performed by an F-16 in order to deter enemy activities. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 63 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported Coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, seven Navy, Royal Air Force, and Royal Australian Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 151 airlift sorties were flown; 383 tons of cargo were delivered, and 4,328 passengers were transported. This included approximately 48,330 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq, and Korea flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 19, U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.0 million pounds of fuel to 263 receiving aircraft.