Coalition aircraft flew several close air support missions in Iraq on Dec. 27. USAF F-16s fired three precision-guided munitions against anti-Iraqi forces positions and vehicles in the vicinity of Hawijah. USAF F-15s and F16s provided CAS to coalition troops engaged with anti-Iraqi forces near Balad. The F-15s fired one PGM, striking an enemy mortar position, while the F-16s struck an enemy building with a PGM.
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.
