U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Strang

C-130 Hercules transports from various Air Force units sit on the flightline at an air base in Southwest Asia. The C-130 aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B1-B Lancer engaged enemy combatants in Nangalam by dropping a guided bomb unit-31. Coalition forces were engaging enemy personnel in firing positions. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the mission was a success. In total, six close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Three Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed improvised explosive devices by dropping several bombs on targets north of Babil. The F-16 pilots dropped GBU-38s and GBU-12s on house-borne IEDs. In addition, the F-16s dropped GBU-38s on IEDs emplaced in fields. The JTAC confirmed the bombs destroyed the intended targets.

An F-16 dropped a GBU-38 on a cave located in Baqubah. Enemy combatants were using the cave as a mortar firing position. The strike was declared by the JTAC as successful.

An RAF Tornado GR-4 conducted a show of force to deter enemy action in Baqubah. The mission was deemed a success.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 69 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-three Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Air Force, Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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

Some 116 airlift sorties were flown, 319 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,856 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 30,400 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 6, U.S. Air Force, French and RAF tanker crews flew 37 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.0 million pounds of fuel to 177 receiving aircraft.

U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Dave DeRemer

An F-15 Eagle taxis to the runway during a local operational readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Air Combat Command officials cleared a portion of the F-15 Eagle A through D model aircraft for flying status Jan. 9.

Air Combat Command officials cleared a portion of the F-15 Eagle A through D model aircraft Jan. 9 for flying status and recommended a limited return to flight for Air Force units worldwide following engineering risk assessments and data received from multiple fleet-wide inspections.

The return to fly order and recommendation applies only to those F-15 aircraft, about 60 percent of the total Air Force F-15 A through D fleet, that have cleared all inspections and have met longeron manufacturing specifications.

The order and recommendation follows more than two months of stand-down actions after an Air National Guard F-15C aircraft experienced catastrophic structural failure and broke apart in flight during a basic fighter maneuver training sortie in Missouri Nov. 2.

"The priority in resuming operations for a portion of the F-15 fleet is the defense of our nation -- America deserves nothing less," said Gen. John D.W. Corley, the Air Combat Command commander. "Aircraft inspection results and counsel from both military and industry experts have made me confident in the safety of a portion of the fleet. As a result, I have cleared those F-15s to return to fly."

Today’s decision follows detailed information briefed on Jan. 4 to Air Combat Command from the Air Force’s F-15 systems program manager, senior engineers from Boeing and the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, as well as a briefing received today from the Accident Investigation Board president.

The information included an analysis of the health of the Air Force’s F-15 fleet from findings from the Nov. 2 mishap investigation, maintenance inspections and actions completed and taken to date as well as historical science and engineering trend data from F-15 fleet management.

Inspections are more than 90 percent complete. Remaining inspections have primarily focused on the forward longerons. The longerons are a critical support structure.

Time compliance technical order inspections have discovered nine other aircraft with longeron fatigue-cracks. Additionally, approximately 40 percent of inspected aircraft have at least one longeron that does not meet blueprint specifications.

Deviations in these longerons will be analyzed at the WR-ALC. The analysis is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete. Once the analysis is complete, ACC will be able to better determine which aircraft will need further inspection, or repair, before returning them to flight.

U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John Nimmo Sr.

A C-17 Globemaster III taxies to the ramp at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The C-17 performs tactical airlift and airdrop missions, and transports litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force with flares to deter enemy activities in Orgune. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the show of force as a success.

In total, 38 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight Air Force and Royal Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets targeted an al- Qaida training camp with guided bomb unit-38s in Babil. The al-Qaida training camp was destroyed and the mission was reported successful by a JTAC.

Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets destroyed improvised explosive devices with GBU-31s and GBU-38s in Babil. During separate missions in the same area, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed improvised explosive devices with GBU-38s and RAF GR-4 Tornados destroyed an IED with Enhance Paveway II munitions. A JTAC reported the missions as successful.

F-16s engaged enemy combatants by using GBU-12s and a GBU-38 in Samarra. The enemy combatants were engaging friendly forces with small arms fire. During the same mission, a Navy F/A-18 Hornet and an F/A-18F engaged enemy combatants with GBU-38s. A JTAC reported the missions as successful.

F-16s used GBU-12s to destroy a land bridge used by enemy combatants to transport weapons in Baqubah. The mission was reported as a success by a JTAC.

A show of force was conducted by an F-16 to deter enemy activities in Baqubah. The show of force was accessed as successful by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 65 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-three Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 112 airlift sorties were flown, 362 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,321 passengers were transported.

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

On Jan. 7, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 35 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 176 receiving aircraft.

U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez

A B-1B Lancer from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pulls away from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, after receiving fuel over Afghanistan. Two B-1Bs hit reported al-Qaida safe havens Jan. 10 in Arab Jabour, Iraq.

More than 40 targets were hit after precision air strikes destroyed reported al-Qaida safe havens Jan. 10 in Arab Jabour, Iraq.

The precision air strikes supported Operation Phantom Phoenix, the overarching operation that includes Operation Marne Thunderbolt.

Thirty-eight bombs were dropped within the first 10 minutes, with a total tonnage of 40,000 pounds.

A joint operation between the Air Force and Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division required extensive planning to prevent collateral damage and to deny the use of the area for attacks into Baghdad and against coalition forces.

Two B-1B Lancers and four F-16 Fighting Falcons directed bombs at three large target areas. Each bomber made two passes and the F-16s followed to complete the set.

Coordination between the Army and Air Force was essential in making the operation a success.

Operation Marne Thunderbolt is an ongoing operation aimed at flushing out remaining al-Qaida extremists operating in the southern Arab Jabour area, and to create conditions for improved security.

Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division will join Iraqi security forces and concerned local citizens to continue these offensive operations to keep pressure on the enemy.

U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo

Air Combat Command officials have released the accident investigation board report that cites structural failure as the cause of the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15 Eagle Nov. 2.

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- A failure of the upper right longeron, a critical support structure in the F-15C Eagle, caused the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C, four miles south-southeast of Boss, Missouri, Nov 2.

According to the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Jan. 10, a technical analysis of the recovered F-15C wreckage determined that the longeron didn’t meet blueprint specifications. This defect led to a series of fatigue cracks in the right upper longeron. These cracks expanded under life cycle stress, causing the longeron to fail, which initiated a catastrophic failure of the remaining support structures and led to the aircraft breaking apart in flight.

The pilot received injuries to his left shoulder and arm prior to ejecting from the aircraft. The $41.7 million aircraft, assigned to the Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Fighter Wing, was destroyed on impact. There were no fatalities. The pilot was the only person aboard the single-seat F-15C. The crash caused minimal damage to private property.

The board president, Col. William Wignall, a senior F-15 pilot, noted the pilot’s actions during the mishap sequence were focused, precise and appropriate. The pilot’s actions did not contribute to the mishap, said Colonel Wignall. In addition, a thorough review of local maintenance procedures revealed no problems or adverse trends which could have contributed to the accident.

U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt Bill Kimble

Arial refuelers, like this KC-135 Stratotanker refueling an F-16 Fighting Falcon, keep coalition aircraft in the fight to support operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an MQ-1B Predator engaged enemy combatants in Lashkar Gah by firing an AGM-114 Hellfire missile. Coalition forces requested a strike on a particular target in the area. The mission was declared a success by the on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

An F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy personnel in Now Zad by dropping a guided bomb unit-38. The F-15s also fired cannon rounds against the targets. The mission was deemed successful.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted shows of force over coalition positions southwest of Orgune. The JTAC reported the missions a success.

An A-10 performed a show of force over a coalition convoy moving through Now Zad. The JTAC declared the mission successful.

In total, 35 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Seven Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, multiple coalition aircraft engaged enemy combatants in Baqubah, Samarra and Balad. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped GBUs on an al-Qaida structure in Baqubah. F/A-18Es dropped GBU-38s and a GBU-12 on a road to deny access to enemy forces in Balad. In Samarra, F-16s dropped a GBU-38 and a GBU-12 on an enemy structure. The JTAC declared the missions successful.

In Baghdad, Navy F/A-18C Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets dropped GBU-38s to detonate enemy Improvised Explosive Devices in multiple locations. The JTAC deemed the mission successful.

An enemy weapons facility near Iskandariyah was destroyed by GBU-31s dropped by an F-16. The JTAC reported the mission as a success.

An enemy structure in Iskandariyah was destroyed by GBU-38s dropped from an F/A-18C. The JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.

A B-1B Lancer destroyed an enemy modified bridge in Baqubah with GBU-38s. The JTAC reported the strike a success.

A RAF GR-4 Tornado performed a show of force in Baqubah to suppress a crowd from possible hostile intent. The show of force was successful.

Enemy combatants in Baqubah were engaged by an F/A-18C with a GBU-12. The JTAC declared the mission a success.

In Baqubah, shows of force were performed by an F/A-18F over an enemy compound. The mission was deemed successful.

To discourage enemy attacks in Tikrit, shows of force were performed by F-16s. The JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 62 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-one Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 131 airlift sorties were flown, 387 tons of cargo were delivered and 2,838 passengers were transported. This included approximately 94,590 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Canada, Iraq and Japan flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 8, Air Force, French, and RAF tanker crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 244 receiving aircraft.

U. S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Cohen A. Young

Gen. John D. W. Corley and his staff answer questions during a media round table at the Pentagon Jan. 10. The round table focused on an F-15 Eagle C model in-flight emergency while flying maneuvers above Missouri Nov. 2. General Corley is the commander of Air Combat Command.

1/10/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Senior Air Force leaders gathered for a press conference here Jan. 10 to share findings from the accident investigation board currently examining the Nov. 2 crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C Eagle.

The upper right longeron -- one of four metal beams that help hold the cockpit to the main fuselage -- was found to have manufacturing defects, said Col. William Wignall, the head of the accident investigation.

The one longeron, already not up to design specifications, cracked apart under the stress of a 7G turn, the colonel said. This led to the other longerons failing as well, which then caused the cockpit to separate from the rest of the fuselage. The pilot was able to eject, but suffered a broken arm when the canopy snapped off.

The incident led to the grounding of the Air Force’s F-15 fleet. As of Jan. 9, the Air Force approved 60 percent of F-15 A through D models to return to service with no flight restrictions

"We’ve had great involvement from Boeing during the investigation," Colonel Wignall said. "In fact, they’re the ones who determined the longeron was the problem. This was then confirmed by the Air Force Research Laboratory."

During the fleet’s grounding, every F-15 base conducted a series of detailed inspections. During that timeframe, nine other F-15s have been found to have similar cracks in their longerons.

The difficulty is that issues have been found with F-15s built between 1978 and 1985, across A through D models at several bases, so no one source of the problem can be isolated, said Gen. John D.W. Corley, the commander of Air Combat Command.

"This isn’t just about one pilot in one aircraft with one bad part," General Corley said. "I have a fleet that is 100 percent fatigued, and 40 percent of that has bad parts. The long-term future of the F-15 is in question."

In the meantime, F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15E Strike Eagle pilots have picked up the F-15s usual mission of patrolling and defending American airspace and interests.

That has had a ripple effect among those pilots’ missions, General Corley said.

"We don’t have a full and healthy fleet, so we’ve gotten behind on training missions, instructor certifications, classes and exercises," he said. "And in the meantime, our pilots have to be ready to deploy."

For some of the nine F-15s that have longeron cracks, it may be cost prohibited to repair them, General Corley said. The Air Force is scheduled to retire some of these aircraft in the next fiscal year.

"We’re going over each and every aircraft to make a determination," he said. "We will take some F-15s out of the inventory. It just doesn’t make sense to spend the time and money if it won’t be worth it for some aircraft."

The Air Force first began flying the F-15 in 1972 and has 665 F-15s and F-15Es in its inventory. Its replacement, the fifth generation F-22, is currently in production with active squadrons at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Douglas Olsen

Airman 1st Class Daniel Morton secures a bomb to the ram jammer operated by Airman David Pownell Dec. 21 at a Southwest Asia air base. The two Airmen are assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron and deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Airman Morton’s home town is Anderson, S.C., and Airman Pownell is from Appleton, Wis.

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force to deter enemy activity in Deh Rawod, and Gereshk. The F-15Es also destroyed an enemy mortar position located in a compound with guided bomb unit-38s in Deh Rawod. An on-scene joint terminal attack controllers confirmed the missions successful.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped GBU-12s to destroy a coalition vehicle that had been damaged by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar. This action was conducted to prevent the enemy from having access to the vehicle. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

An F-15E performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Kabul. A JTAC confirmed the show of force was successful.

An F-15E successfully performed shows of force over friendly forces positions in Bagram and Khowst. Shows of force are performed to deter enemy activities.

In total, 33 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force and RAF surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft dropped GBU-31s and GBU-38s to destroy several IED emplacements in Baghdad. Air Force B-1B Lancers and F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted the missions with a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet. In addition an F-16 performed a show of force to deter the enemy activities. A JTACs deemed the missions successful.

An F-16 dropped a GBU-12 to destroy a vehicle borne IED in Samarra. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

F-18s destroyed an al-Qaida structure with GBU-38s in Iskandariyah. A JTAC reported the mission as a success.

An F-16 destroyed an enemy an enemy anti-aircraft artillery gun near a river south of Baqubah. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

An F-16 eliminated multiple IEDs by dropping a GBU-38 in Tikrit. The strike was reported as successful by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 58 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Eighteen Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 141 airlift sorties were flown, 345 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,239 passengers were transported. This included approximately 63,768 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 9, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 260 receiving aircraft.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II

SOUTHWEST ASIA- An F-15E Strike Eagle deployed from the 492nd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, pops flares during a combat sortie supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom here.

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities in Gereshk. In addition, the F-15E fired cannon rounds to suppress enemy combatants in hostile contact against coalition forces. The missions were reported a success by the joint terminal attack controller.

In order to deter anti-coalition militia activities, shows of force were performed by F-15Es in Musa Qal’eh. The JTAC confirmed the mission successful.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force over enemy positions in Nangalam. The mission was reported as successful by the JTAC.

In Khowst, shows of force were performed by F-15Es in order to deter enemy activities. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission.

A Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier conducted a show of force to deter further movement of the enemy near Garmsir. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Navy F/A-18C Hornets dropped guided bomb unit-38s on several improvised explosive device emplacements. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

In Iskanariyah, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets targeted and destroyed emplaced IEDs by using GBU-38s. The JTAC declared the mission successful.

A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet performed a show of force over enemy combatants who were engaging coalition forces in the area. The mission was reported as a success by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 30 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.

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

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

Approximately 141 airlift sorties were flown, 424 tons of cargo were delivered and 4,586 passengers were transported. This included approximately 52,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 10, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 215 receiving aircraft.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Olsen

An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft takes off from the runway of an air base in Southwest Asia, for a mission as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The B-1B is a multi-role, long-range bomber capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling.

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles destroyed an enemy compound by dropping guided bomb unit-38s and firing cannon rounds in Bagram. A show of force was also performed to deter any further enemy activities. The joint terminal attack controller confirmed the missions were successful.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped GBU-31s and GBU-38s on anti-coalition militia engaging coalition troops in Deh Rawod. The JTAC declared the mission as a success.

In Garmsir, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier dropped an Enhanced Paveway II munition on enemy combatants engaging Friendly forces. The JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.

A GR-7 dropped Enhanced Paveway II munitions on a building containing an enemy mortar team near Deh Rawod. The GR-7 also conducted a show of force over enemy positions in the area. The missions were reported as a success by the JTAC.

In Asadabad, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II successfully conducted a show of force over enemy positions in the area.

In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

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

In Iraq, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a GBU-51 on an enemy position in Basrah. The JTAC declared the mission successful.

In Baqubah, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped a GBU-12 and GBU-38s to destroy a vehicle bornb improvised explosive device factory. The mission was confirmed a success by the JTAC.

Enemy activities were deterred through shows of force performed by an F-16 in Baghdad. The JTAC confirmed the missions were a success.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 61 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-two Air Force, Navy, and Royal Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, eight Air Force, Navy, and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

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

Approximately 136 airlift sorties were flown, 280 tons of cargo were delivered and 4,225 passengers were transported. This included approximately 47,580 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

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

On Jan. 11, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.2 million pounds of fuel to 185 receiving aircraft.