US Central Command Air Forces officials in Southwest Asia told the Associated Press news service that coalition forces engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan had made some 750 airstrikes in May 2006 compared to about 660 in May 2005. (A tally of CENTAF data shows a total of 754 OEF airstrikes.) The reason: To counteract a spring offensive by insurgents in southern Afghanistan. CENTAF head Lt. Gen. Gary North told AP that most of the airstrikes responded to calls from coalition ground commanders asking for close air support.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
