CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 30 Published Aug. 31, 2006 By CENTAF public affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 30. In Afghanistan Aug. 29, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Qalat. The aircraft expended a Guided Bomb Unit-31 and GBU-38s on the extremists' positions, ending the engagement. A B-1 provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt. The B-1B expended GBU-31s and GBU-38s on the extremists' positions, ending the engagement. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Musah Qal'eh. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and GBU-12s on an enemy location, ending the engagement. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons also provided close-air support for coalition troops in the vicinity. Additionally, five Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. In total, coalition aircraft flew 24 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, F-16s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Baghdad. Additionally, 14 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Air Force fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. In total, coalition aircraft flew 42 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. On Aug. 28, an Air Force rescue and medical crew on a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter flew one medical evacuation mission in support of OEF. Two coalition military members with injuries requiring urgent care were evacuated as a result of this mission. 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 160 airlift sorties, delivered 300 tons of cargo and transported 3,850 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Japan and Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On Aug. 28, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 37 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.3 million pounds of fuel.