US Central Command Air Forces reports that coalition aircraft flew several close air support missions on Dec. 28 to support troops in Iraq. USAF F-15s flew CAS for coalition troops fighting anti-Iraqi forces near Balad, Al Iskandariyah and Al Mahmudiyah. An F-15 struck an enemy mortar position near Balad with a precision guided munition.
All 12 American bombers deployed in Britain rapidly returned to the U.S. on Oct. 4 following security concerns about a potential Iranian threat to their base in the U.K.