CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 24 Published Aug. 24, 2006 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 24.In Afghanistan Aug. 23, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The A-10s conducted passes expending cannon rounds against enemy troop positions ending the engagement. In a separate engagement near Musah Qal'eh, A-10s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists. An A-10 expended a Guided Bomb Unit-12 on the extremists' location, ending the engagement. A B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Qalat. Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s also provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Tarin Kowt. Additionally, nine 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 31 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-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad and Baquba. Additionally, 14 Air Force, Navy, RAF and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq . In total, coalition aircraft flew 42 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. 22, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew two medical evacuation missions in support of OEF. Two Afghan National Army patients with injuries requiring urgent care were 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 250 tons of cargo and transported 4,460 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Japan and Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On Aug. 22, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 42 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.6 million pounds of fuel.