CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 18

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 18.

In Afghanistan Nov. 17, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The A-10s expended general-purpose, 500-pound bombs and cannon rounds on enemy positions.

French Air Force M2000 Mirages, Air Force A-10s and an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad. The M2000Ds expended guided bomb unit-12s on enemy positions.

Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Gereshk.

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

Additionally, 11 Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Samarra and Baquba.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Balad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 34 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.

Additionally, 14 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

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 approximately 130 airlift sorties, delivered more than 350 tons of cargo and transported more than 3,000 passengers.

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

On Nov. 16, U.S. Air Force, RAF and Singaporean tankers flew 36 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.5 million pounds of fuel.