CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 18

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

In Afghanistan Oct. 17, Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Gereshk. The GR-7s expended rockets on enemy targets.

RAF GR-7s provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Gereshk. The GR-7s expended an Enhanced Paveway II munition on an enemy position.

An Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Bez Bel. The B-1 expended Guided Bomb Unit-31s and GBU-38s on enemy positions.

An Air Force B-1 provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gol Kowt.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Kuh-e Pahsakhvan and Now Zad.

In total, 34 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, nine U.S. Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or 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 Fallujah, Baghdad and Tal Afar.

Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad.

RAF Tornado GR-4s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Basrah.

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, 18 Air Force, Navy, Army, RAF and Royal Australian Air Force 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 150 airlift sorties, delivered 370 tons of cargo and transported 3,720 passengers. This included about 21,000 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in eastern Afghanistan.

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

On Oct. 16, U.S., RAF, French and Singaporean air force tankers flew 34 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.1 million pounds of fuel.