America's North Shore Journal

Centcom

In Afghanistan yesterday, French Mirage fighter aircraft conducted precision strikes on Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Qalat. The Mirages expended GBU-12 (Guided Bomb Unit-12) munitions on extremists hiding in a tree line.

In a separate engagement, U.S. Air Force A-10s and a B-1B responded to Coalition forces taking small arms fire from Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt. The A-10s expended general-purpose 500-pound bombs, GBU-12s and cannon rounds on Taliban extremists in the open and on a compound from where they were operating.

Royal Air Force GR-7s also provided close air support to Coalition troops in contact with enemy forces in the vicinity of Oruzgan.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 26 close air support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to Coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Six U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Coalition aircraft flew 40 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.

United States Air Force F-16s and F-15s and Royal Air Force GR-4s provided close air support to Coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinities of Mosul, Samarra and Tall Afar.

In addition, 12 U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq .

United States Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. Approximately 150 airlift sorties were flown; more than 400 tons of cargo were delivered, and close to 2,400 passengers were transported. This included more than 43,700 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in East and Central Afghanistan.

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

On June 14, U.S. Air Force, French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 42 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.4 million pounds of fuel.