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.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.