CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 17 Published Aug. 17, 2006 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 17.In Afghanistan Aug. 16, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The A-10s expended a Guided Bomb Unit-12 on the extremists' location, ending the engagement.In a separate engagement near Musah Qal'eh, A-10s and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and precision-guided 500-pound bombs on the extremists' locations, ending the engagement. Air Force B-1 Lancers also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad, Khowst and Qalat. Additionally, six Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. In total, coalition aircraft flew 24 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 Al Taji. F-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Tall Afar. Both F-15Es and F-16s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baquba. Additionally, 12 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq . In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 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. 15, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew three medical evacuation missions in support of OEF. Two coalition military members 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 160 airlift sorties, delivered 450 tons of cargo and transported 3,650 passengers. This included more than 21,600 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in eastern Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Japan flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On Aug. 15, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.5 million pounds of fuel.