Senior Army leaders from Combined Joint Task Force-82 on Monday met with airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, and thanked them for their contribution to the joint fight in that country. “Soldiers and marines on the ground know they can rely on airmen to bring them airpower when they need it,” said Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, CJTF-82 boss. He added, “We know your families miss you, but it’s important for us to be here.” (Bagram photo caption by SSgt. J.G. Buzanowski)
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.
