Here is a first-person article by The (Olympia, Wash.) Olympian reporter Scott Gutierrez, who flew with aircrews from McChord AFB, Wash., on a trip to Southwest Asia. Gutierrez got to spend a week with the McChord aircrews as they flew cargo into and around the theater, stopping at Balad AB, Iraq, where he visited the combat hospital and spoke with US troops—more upbeat than not—and Iraqis working with the coalition.
The U.S. military conducted strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, as the conflict with Iran flared up again—though officials say the ceasefire remains in effect.