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CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 23

  • Published
  • By CENTAF public affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 23.

In Afghanistan Aug. 22, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and a general-purpose 500-pound bomb on the extremists' positions, ending the engagement.

An Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small-arms and mortar fire from Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The B-1 expended a Guided Bomb Unit-31 on an extremists' mortar position, ending the engagement. A-10s and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s also provided close-air support to coalition forces near Musah Qal'eh.

A-10s and RAF GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Kandahar . The GR-7s expended an enhanced Paveway II 1,000-pound bomb on an enemy location, destroying the target and ending the engagement.

A-10s also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad and Khowst.

Additionally, 10 U.S. and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 29 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-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Hawijah, Baghdad and Kirkuk.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons also provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Amarah.

Additionally, 13 Air Force, Navy and RAF 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 46 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. 21, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew three medical evacuation missions in support of OEF. One coalition military member with injuries requiring urgent care was evacuated as a result of these missions.

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 sorties, delivered 240 tons of cargo and transported 3,750 passengers.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF.

On Aug. 21, U.S. and French Air Force tankers flew 37 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.2 million pounds of fuel.