Coalition air forces performed several strikes in Iraq, supporting ongoing anti-insurgent operations. A US Air Force F-15 launched a precision-guided munition against an insurgent weapons cache in the vicinity of Karabilah. US Navy F-14s struck a building used by insurgents in the vicinity of Husaybah with PGMs. In the vicinity of Balad, USAF F-16s unleashed PGMs, targeting anti-Iraqi forces.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
