CENTAF releases combined airpower summary Published May 18, 2006 SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for May 14 to 17. May 17 In Afghanistan, a B-1B Lancer and four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs struck Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The missions supported coalition ground forces including Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army and Canadian troops. In two separate attacks, the B-1B and A-10s dropped Paveway II munitions and general-purpose 500-pound bombs, killing 18 Taliban extremists and allowing ground forces to capture 26. This was the first B-1 operational mission over Afghanistan to employ precision-guided munitions since they arrived in theater May 6, 2006. Additionally, A-10s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Asmar, Jalalabad and Orgun-E. In total, coalition aircraft flew 30 Operation Enduring Freedom close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols. Six Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance 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 36 Operation Iraqi Freedom close-air-support missions. They supported coalition troops and reconstruction activities, provided infrastructure protection and helped operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. An F-16 Fighting Falcon and a RAF Tornado GR-4 attack aircraft provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Mahmudiyah and Ramadi. In addition, 12 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III transports provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew approximately 150 airlift sorties, delivered almost 210 tons of cargo, and transported nearly 3,250 passengers. C-130 aircrews from Canada, Japan and South Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On May 16, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded almost 2 million pounds of fuel. May 16 Coalition aircraft flew 37 OIF close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. F-16s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad and Ramadi. In addition, 13 Air Force, Navy, and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 24 OEF close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols. An AC-130 Gunship and four A-10s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Bagram and Kandahar . Five Air Force 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. C-130s and C-17s provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew approximately 170 airlift sorties, transported nearly 3,100 passengers and delivered almost 250 tons of cargo including 6 thousand pounds of humanitarian aid and 18 thousand pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan . Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Japan and South Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On May 15, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 35 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.2 million pounds of fuel. May 15 In Afghanistan, A-10s and an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle identified and struck a group of enemy extremists meeting near Oruzgan. In two separate attacks, the aircraft fired Hellfire missiles, Paveway II munitions and cannon rounds killing at least four of the extremists. The enemy killed were responsible for launching numerous attacks against civilians and the Afghan National Army. In addition, a B-1B and A-10s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Orgun-E. In total, coalition aircraft flew 24 OEF close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols. Four Air Force 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. Coalition aircraft flew 36 OIF close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. F-16s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Taji and Balad. In addition, 13 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. 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 680 tons of cargo and transported nearly 4,200 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Japan flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On May 14, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 33 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.3 million pounds of fuel. May 14 In Iraq, F-15 Eagles, F-16s and Predator aircraft supported coalition troops conducting an attack on an enemy safe haven near Al Mahmudiyah. The aircraft dropped precision-guided JDAMs, Paveway II munitions and fired cannon rounds striking enemy safe houses and vehicles loaded with weapons and ammunition. Secondary explosions were reported after the strike. Approximately 25 insurgents were killed during the engagement and four have been detained. In a separate strike, F-15s and F-16s provided close-air support to coalition troops under small arms fire near Al Hawijah. The aircraft flew a strafing run expending cannon rounds and bringing an end to the conflict. In total, coalition aircraft flew 36 OIF close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Additionally, 15 Air Force, Navy, RAF and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 16 OEF close-air-support missions. The missions supported coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and presence route patrols. A-10s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Orgun-E. Seven Air Force and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. 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 520 tons of cargo and transported nearly 2,340 passengers. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF. On May 13, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.7 million pounds of fuel.