USAF F-15 and F-16 fighters struck targets near Baghdad on Dec. 13. The F-16s fired precision-guided munitions to cut off bridge access for insurgents. The F-15s launched PGMs against a bunker used by enemy forces. On the same day, US Navy F-18s provided close air support for coalition troops that encountered enemy forces near Balad.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
