USAF F-16s launched a GBU-38 against a pontoon bridge in the vicinity of Haditha, Iraq, to support the 2nd Marine Division for Operation River Gate. According to US Central Command, the goal of the operation is to deny al Qaeda-affiliated forces the ability to operate in the three Euphrates River Valley cities of Barwana, Haditha, and Haqlaniyah. Haditha is a hub for smuggling activities to and from the nearby Syrian border, say CENTCOM officials.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.