CENTAF releases airpower summary

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U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 15.

In Afghanistan June 14, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer conducted precision strikes on insurgent defensive fighting locations, compounds, cave entrances and troops near Khowst. The aircraft expended numerous precision-guided joint direct attack munitions, guided bomb unit-12 munitions, general-purpose 500-pound bombs and cannon rounds.

In a separate engagement, Air Force A-10s provided close-air-support to coalition forces taking small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades near Qalat. The A-10s conducted several strafing passes and expended general-purpose 500-pound bombs, ending the engagement.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 33 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Five Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 54 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.

Navy F-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force Tornado GR-4s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Hawijah and Al Mahmudiyah.

In addition, 14 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Navy fighter aircraft performed in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

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 140 airlift sorties, delivered 700 tons of cargo and transported 3,130 passengers. This included more than 37,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern and central Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF.

On June 13, Air Force and Royal Air Force tankers flew 41 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.6 million pounds of fuel.