CENTAF releases airpower summary Published July 18, 2006 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for July 18.In Afghanistan July 17, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, a B-1B Lancer, a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with anti-coalition forces near Tarin Kowt. The aircraft expended general purpose 500-pound bombs, rockets and cannon rounds against enemy troop positions, ending the engagement. Air Force A-10s and a B-1B provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with anti-coalition forces near Gereshk. The A-10s expended cannon rounds on a rocket-propelled grenade launch site, ending the engagement. A B-1B provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with anti-coalition forces near Qalat. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-38s, ending the engagement. Air Force A-10s and a B-1B also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Musa Qal'eh. Additionally, seven Air Force and French Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. In total, coalition aircraft flew 29 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 conducted a strike against anti-Iraqi forces placing an improvised explosive device near Baqubah. The aircraft strafed the terrorists, ending the engagement. Air Force F-16s also provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Kirkuk, and Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Basrah. Additionally, 14 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. 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. 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 more than 600 tons of cargo and transported 2,300 passengers. This included more than 47,200 pounds of troop re-supply airdropped in southern and eastern Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Japan flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On July 16, Air Force and French tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.5 million pounds of fuel.