US Air Force,
SOUTHWEST ASIA: In Afghanistan Aug. 18, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small arms fire from Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Musah Qal'eh. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and ending the engagement. Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers also provided close-air support for coalition forces near Musah Qal'eh.
Air Force A-10s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Gereshk. The A-10s expended a general-purpose 500-pound bomb on a mortar location and a guided bomb unit-12 on another of the extremists' locations, destroying their targets and ending the engagement.
Air Force A-10s and Royal Air Force GR-7s also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces in the vicinity of Qalat.
Additionally, 10 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 24 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-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Al Hawijah.
Air Force F-15Es and F-16 Fighting Falcons also provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Iskandariyah.
Additionally, 16 Air Force, 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 August 17, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew two medical evacuation missions in support of OEF. Two coalition military members 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; more than 440 tons of cargo were delivered, and some 2,250 passengers were transported.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Japan flew in support of either OIF or OEF.
On August 17, Air Force, Royal Air Force and French air force tankers flew 38 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.3 million pounds of fuel.
