CENTAF releases airpower summary Published July 8, 2006 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for July 8. In Afghanistan July 7, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for coalition forces taking small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Khowst. The aircraft expended a joint direct attack munition on the extremists' location, ending the engagement.In a separate engagement, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs also provided close air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces in the vicinity of Gereshk. An A-10 expended a general-purpose bomb on an enemy compound, destroying it and ending the engagement.In another engagement, Air Force A-10s and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces in the vicinity of Kandahar. An A-10 expended a general-purpose bomb on an enemy compound, destroying it and ending the engagement. In addition, Air Force A-10s and a B-1B also provided close-air support to coalition troops near Kandahar.Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces in the vicinity of Musah Qal'eh.An Air Force B-1B also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces in the vicinity of Qalat.Additionally, eight U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal 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 provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinities of Al Hawijah, Al Taji, Ar Ramadi and Baghdad. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Tikrit. Additionally, 13 Air Force, U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. In total, coalition aircraft flew 44 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 July 6, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew three medical evacuation missions in support of OEF. One U.S. military member, one Afghan National Army member and two local national 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. Approximately 160 airlift sorties were flown; almost 360 tons of cargo were delivered, and some 2,540 passengers were transported. This included about 13,920 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in central Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Japan flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On July 6, Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force tankers flew 39 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.7 million pounds of fuel.