CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 21

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Oct. 21.

In Afghanistan Oct. 20, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Shem Kheyl and Musa Nikeh Ziarat.

Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Garmsir.

In total, 39 close-air support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, six U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

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

Royal Air Force GR-4s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Samarra.

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.

Additionally, 16 U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

U.S. 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. The flew nearly 160 airlift sorties, delivered more than 540 tons of cargo and transported more than 3,650 passengers. This included more than 37,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

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

On Oct. 19, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, French Air Force and Singaporean Air Force tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded almost 1.9 million pounds of fuel.