The Air Force and the Navy contribute the majority of explosive ordnance disposal specialists operating in Southwest Asia, Gen. Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff, stated at a House hearing earlier this month. According to the Air Force’s year to date tally of EOD missions, airmen have conducted 590 missions out of a total of 1,193 for all services in the US Central Command area of responsibility.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
