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.
When the Air Force sets a new program baseline for the B-52 re-engining this fall, there will be “some” cost increase, because the project wasn't previously fully funded, and the Air Force has a better handle on actual supplier costs and knowledge from ground testing, program officials said.