In Afghanistan Dec. 16, Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The GR-7s expended a general-purpose, 500-pound bomb on an enemy position.
An Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad. The B-1 expended GBU-31s on enemy positions. GBU-31=2000 lb JDAM
In total, 45 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Additionally, 11 U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, Marine Corps F/A-18s conducted strikes against anti-Iraqi forces near Fallujah. The F/A-18s expended Maverick missiles, a GBU-12 and a GBU-38 on enemy targets.
GBU-12= 500 lb Paveway laser-guided bomb.
GBU-38 500 lb. JDAM
Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Basrah.
Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Miqdidyah and Baghdad.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 16 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, 9 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Navy and Air Force fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.
"Non-traditional" ISR refers to the use of targeting FLIR or other combat aircraft imaging systems in a surveillance role. There has been a major increase in this type of mission in recent weeks.
On Dec. 15, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew two medical evacuation missions in support of OEF. Two Army Soldiers and one Afghan National Army Soldier with injuries requiring urgent care were evacuated as a result of these missions.
Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globmaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. More than 120 airlift sorties were flown; more than 455 tons of cargo was delivered, and close to 1,880 passengers were transported. This included more than 19,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Canada flew in support of OIF or OEF.
On Dec. 15, U.S. and RAF tankers flew 28 sorties and off-loaded almost 2 million pounds of fuel.