A-10s, F-15Es, and a B-1B bomber struck enemy combatants engaging friendly forces with 500-pound laser-guided bombs and 2,000-pound joint direct attack munitions May 9 in Asadabad, Afghanistan, Air Forces Central announced May 10. A joint terminal attack controller confirmed the success of the missions. In Bari Kowt, a B-1B took out enemy forces with a 2,000-pound JDAM and 500-pound JDAMs. In Iraq on May 9, an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle fired a Hellfire missile and Navy F/A-18 Hornets dropped 500-pound JDAMs to destroy rocket rails, mortar positions, and enemy combatants in Baghdad, AFCENT said.
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.