Coalition aircraft have been busy over Iraq, aiding ground forces involved in combat operations around the northern border with Syria. According to US Central Air Forces, USAF F-15s struck an insurgent weapons cache in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, using precision guided munitions. Navy F-18s and F/A-18s also launched PGMs in the vicinity of Husaybah and Al Mahmudiyah, striking buildings that insurgents were using as firing positions to attack coalition forces.
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.
