CENTAF releases combined airpower summary Published May 22, 2006 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for May 19 to 21. May 21In Afghanistan May 21, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to coalition troops conducting an operation in the Kandahar region. The purpose of the operation was to detain individuals suspected of terrorist and anti-Afghanistan activities. During the operation, coalition ground forces encountered organized armed opposition. The A-10s engaged a large group of Taliban extremists, expending 30 mm cannon rounds in three strafing passes. Initial assessments have confirmed 20 Taliban were killed while five others have been detained for questioning. In total, coalition aircraft flew 28 Operation Enduring Freedom close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols. Four Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. French fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 53 Operation Iraqi Freedom close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Fourteen Air Force, Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Navy fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew approximately 180 airlift sorties, delivered almost 450 tons of cargo and transported nearly 3,220 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and South Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On May 20, Air Force, French and RAF tankers flew 49 sorties and off-loaded almost 3.1 million pounds of fuel. May 20In Afghanistan May 20, C-130s airdropped nearly 30,000 pounds of troop re-supply to coalition forces in Afghanistan. In three separate missions, C-130s dropped bundles consisting of ammunition and rations. In addition, coalition aircraft flew 31 Operation Enduring Freedom close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols. A-10s, B-1B Lancers and an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Kabul, Kandahar and Oruzgan. The B-1Bs responded to two separate engagements, dropping precision-guided JDAMs ending the engagements. RAF Harrier GR-7s and French Etendards also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Kandahar. Six Air Force and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. French fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 54 Operation Iraqi Freedom close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. F-16 Fighting Falcons, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and RAF Tornado GR-4s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Mahmudiyah, Al Mansuriyah, Al Taji, and Basrah. In addition, 13 Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Air Force and Navy fighter aircraft flew in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. C-130s and C-17s provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew approximately 150 airlift sorties, delivered almost 420 tons of cargo and transported nearly 2,750 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Japan and South Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On May 19, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 39 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.7 million pounds of fuel. May 19In Afghanistan May 19, C-130s airdropped nearly 6,800 pounds of humanitarian aid to a village near Kandahar. The C-130s dropped bundles essential for the local teachers to begin preparing for school. The items included teaching kits, school supplies, tarps, soccer balls, shoes and socks for children. A second airdrop delivered nearly 5,400 pounds of troop re-supply to coalition forces. In addition, coalition aircraft flew 39 Operation Enduring Freedom close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols. A-10s and Predator aircraft provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Tarin Kowt. The aircraft responded with Hellfire missiles and Paveway II munitions, ending the engagement. A-10s and RAF GR-7s also provided close-air support near Bagram, Kandahar and Oruzgan. Eight Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Coalition aircraft flew 46 Operation Iraqi Freedom close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. F-16s and Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Iskandariyah, Al Mahmudiyah and Baghdad. In addition, 10 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Navy fighter aircraft flew in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors. C-130s and C-17s provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew approximately 160 airlift sorties, delivered almost 240 tons of cargo and transported close to 1,700 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Canada, Japan and South Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On May 18, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded almost 2 million pounds of fuel.