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.
The Air Force budget would grow to $234 billion while Space Force spending would shrink to $26 billion under the White House's yearly ask.