CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 18 Published Aug. 18, 2006 By CENTAF public affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 18. In Afghanistan Aug. 17, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops ambushed and taking small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near Moqor. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and ending the engagement. A-10s and French Air Force M-2000s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds, Guided Bomb Unit-12s and general-purpose 500-pound bombs on the extremists' positions, ending the engagement. Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Musah Qal'eh. The GR-7s conducted passes, expending rockets, an enhanced Paveway II 1,000-pound bomb and a 1,000-pound freefall bomb on the enemy positions, ending the engagement. In a separate engagement near Musah Qal'eh, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support to coalition troops in taking small-arms and mortar fire. The B-1 expended a GBU-31 on the enemy mortar position, ending the engagement. Royal Air Force GR-7s also provided close-air support to coalition forces near Kandahar. Additionally, eight U.S., French and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. In total, coalition aircraft flew 26 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, 13 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In total, coalition aircraft flew 44 close-air-support missions for OIF. 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 160 airlift sorties, delivered 370 tons of cargo and transported 3,080 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Japan flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On Aug. 16, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.4 million pounds of fuel.