NATO’
s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan directed a precision airstrike against an isolated Taliban compound between Musa Qala and Kajaki that destroyed one building, killing “a confirmed extremist leader and several of his associates.” A US Central Command Air Forces airpower summary identified the strike aircraft as an F-15 (currently F-15Es from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, are deployed to Bagram AB, Afghanistan.) A Joint Terminal Attack Controller on the scene said the fighter’s GBU-12 directly hit enemy forces near Musa Qala.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.