In Afghan
istan on Feb. 24, F-15E Strike Eagles provided close air support to coalition forces near Qurya. Taking direction from a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, the F-15Es dropped a GBU-38 joint direct attack munition and GBU-39 small diameter bomb on the single-story buildings used by enemy forces as small arms fire positions. In Iraq on the same day, pilots of F-16 Vipers assigned to monitor two mosques and a roadway near Ar Ramadi for anti-Iraqi activity, saw that the ground had been disturbed after a stopped vehicle with two men in it moved off. They relayed the information to a JTAC for checkout by ground forces. Meanwhile, other F-16s provided over-watch for various actions, including a medical evacuation and ground force actions, providing real-time reports of suspicious individuals in various locations.
Fly, Fix, Defend: Wilsbach Aims for a Readier Air Force
July 31, 2026
When Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach became Chief of Staff of the Air Force in November 2025, he coined a simple motto: “Fly and Fix”—so you can fight if necessary. In the nine months since, Airmen have been flying, fixing, and fighting—a lot.