USAF F-15 and F-16 fighters struck targets near Baghdad on Dec. 13. The F-16s fired precision-guided munitions to cut off bridge access for insurgents. The F-15s launched PGMs against a bunker used by enemy forces. On the same day, US Navy F-18s provided close air support for coalition troops that encountered enemy forces near Balad.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
