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.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
