Central Command Air Forces performed multiple air strikes on targets in Afghanistan and Iraq over the weekend. On Oct. 21, USAF F-16s and F-15s struck buildings used by insurgents in the vicinity of Karbala and Husaybah, Iraq. On the same day, coalition aircraft destroyed a safe house and weapons cache using precision guided munitions after a raid on the location northwest of Qaim, Iraq, discovered the arms. On Oct. 22, a USAF A-10 struck anti-coalition militia in the vicinity of Asmar, Afghanistan. And, on Oct. 23, A-10s took out anti-coalition militia firing positions in the vicinity of Oruzgan, Afghanistan.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3