Over 
the 36-hour period marking the battle in An Najaf in Iraq last month, F-16s from three fighter squadrons based at Balad Air Base and A-10s from Al Asad Air Base expended munitions for the first time in a single operation, reports Air Force journalist TSgt. Jennifer Gregoire. A Joint Terminal Attack Controller embedded with an Army unit, called in the fighters to aid recovery operations for a downed Army helicopter when coalition ground forces became pinned down by enemy fire.
As commander of Air Forces Central, Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich has been at the heart of almost all U.S. military action in the Middle East, from overseeing airstrikes against Iranian proxy groups to protecting troops as America’s air defense commander for the region. Just before handing over his command to…