CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 9 Published Aug. 9, 2006 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Aug. 9.In Afghanistan Aug. 8, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near Asadabad. The B-1 expended a Guided Bomb Unit-31 and a GBU-38, and the A-10s expended general-purpose 500-pound bombs, all against the extremists' positions, ending the engagement. In a separate engagement in Asadabad, a B-1 provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with anti-coalition forces. The B-1 expended GBU-38s on the enemy positions, ending the engagement. A B-1 and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Musah Qal'eh. The B-1 expended a GBU-38, and the GR-7 expended an Enhanced Paveway II 1,000-pound bomb, both on an enemy mortar position, ending the engagement. In a separate engagement in Musah Qal'eh , A-10s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with anti-coalition forces. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and ending the engagement. A B-1B also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Ghazni, Lashkar Gah and Qalat. A-10s and an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Khowst. RAF GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with anti-coalition forces near Tarin Kowt. Additionally, seven U.S., French and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.In total, coalition aircraft flew 27 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 Kirkuk. Additionally, 15 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Air Force fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. In total, coalition aircraft flew 41 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. 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 350 tons of cargo and transported 3,420 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Japan and Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On Aug. 7, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 41 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.7 million pounds of fuel.