No Holiday Break For Troops

US and coalition aircrews flew combat and support missions December 28 in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, US Central Command Air Forces Forward officials in Southwest Asia reported Thursday.

Coalition aircraft flew 36 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom, supporting coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities, officials said.

US Air Force F-15s provided close air support to coalition troops near Balad, striking an enemy mortar firing location. Other F-15s provided close air support to coalition troops near the towns of Iskandariyah and Mahmudiyah.

In addition to the close air support aircraft, nine Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft also flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

British Royal Air Force fighter aircraft also performed in what the military termed a "nontraditional" ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 20 close air support missions, and three US Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and the conduct of presence route patrols, officials said.

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. About 200 airlift sorties carried 525 tons of cargo and nearly 3,700 passengers.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea also flew in Iraq or Afghanistan.

On December 27, officials added, Air Force and Royal Air Force tankers flew 28 sorties and off-loaded more than 1.9 million pounds of fuel.

FMI: www.af.mil