US Air Force A-10s, a B-52, and Predator UAVs helped provide close air support to coalition forces engaged by enemy forces in the vicinity of Orgun-E, Afghanistan, on Dec. 21. The A-10s strafed enemy positions and launched general-purpose 500-pound bombs. The B-52 fired precision-guided munitions. The Predators fired Hellfire missiles.
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