CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 31 Published Sept. 1, 2006 By CENTAF public affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 31. In Afghanistan Aug. 30, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The aircraft conducted passes, expending cannon rounds, a general-purpose 500-pound bomb and a Guided Bomb Unit-12 against enemy positions, ending the engagement. In a separate engagement near Musah Qal'eh, an Air Force B-1 Lancer also provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists. The B-1 expended GBU-31s and -38s on enemy positions, ending the engagement. A B-1 and an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Kandahar. Additionally, six Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. In total, coalition aircraft flew 25 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Iskandariyah, Baghdad and Kirkuk. Additionally, 13 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. In total, coalition aircraft flew 40 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. 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 150 airlift, delivered 410 tons of cargo and transported 3,530 passengers. This included more than 13,450 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in eastern Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Japan and Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On Aug. 29, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 38 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.4 million pounds of fuel.