An Air Force Predator UAV provided close air support for coalition troops under attack from anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Tikrit, Iraq, on Jan. 22. The Predator fired one Hellfire missile, striking a vehicle armed with an improvised explosive device. On Jan. 21, Air Force F-16s provided close air support to coalition troops fighting anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Baquaba. An F-16 fired one precision-guided munition and struck an enemy position.
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.