US Central Command Air Forces reports that coalition aircraft flew several close air support missions on Dec. 28 to support troops in Iraq. USAF F-15s flew CAS for coalition troops fighting anti-Iraqi forces near Balad, Al Iskandariyah and Al Mahmudiyah. An F-15 struck an enemy mortar position near Balad with a precision guided munition.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.