CENTAF releases airpower summary for July 22 and 23 Published July 23, 2006 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 22 and 23.July 23In Afghanistan July 22, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The A-10s conducted strafing passes, expending cannon rounds and the B-1 expended a Guided Bomb Unit-38 on the extremists' positions, ending the engagement.A B-1 provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The B-1 expended GBU-31s and GBU-38s on the extremists' locations, ending the engagement. A-10s also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad. Additionally, eight 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 25 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, F-16 Fighting Falcons and Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornadoes provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Iskandariyah. F-16s also provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Ar Ramadi. Additionally, 12 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. United States Air Force fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. In total, coalition aircraft flew 47 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 310 tons of cargo and transported 3,250 passengers. This included more than 16,240 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in central and eastern Afghanistan. In addition on July 22, a theater C-5 Galaxy flew one mission, transporting more than 110,000 pounds of equipment and supplies in support of U.S. Central Command's operations for Americans departing Lebanon.Coalition C-130 crews from Canada and Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On July 21, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.4 million pounds of fuel. July 22In Afghanistan July 21, an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle conducted a precision strike against Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The Predator expended a Hellfire missile on the enemy's position, ending the engagement. A-10s, a Predator UAV and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for coalition troops taking sniper and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The A-10s expended a GBU-12 and conducted strafing passes at the sniper and other extremists' locations, ending the engagement. A B-1 also provided close-air support for coalition troops near Now Zad. A B-1 provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The B-1 expended a GBU-31 on the extremists' location, ending the engagement. That same B-1 also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gar. The B-1B expended GBU-31s on the extremists' location, ending the engagement. A-10s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Qalat. Additionally, six U.S. and French Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. In total, coalition aircraft flew 21 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, 14 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations. In total, coalition aircraft flew 43 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. C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew 160 airlift sorties, delivered 390 tons of cargo and transported 2,900 passengers. This included more than 18,390 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in central Afghanistan. In addition, theater C-17s and C-130s flew two missions, transporting 12 passengers and nearly 60,000 pounds of equipment and supplies in support of U.S. Central Command's operations for Americans departing Lebanon July 21. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Canada flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On July 20, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 41 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.5 million pounds of fuel.