A USAF Predator UAV and A-10s, along with RAF GR-7s, provided close air support on Aug. 24 to coalition troops who came under fire from anti-coalition militia in two locations in Afghanistan. The Warthogs used a combination of general-purpose 500-pound bombs, rockets, and 30mm cannon rounds.
The Pentagon on March 30 announced a a $3.8 billion contract modification to buy F135 engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter from contractor Pratt & Whitney.