: USAF B-1B bombers employed weapons in two areas in Afghanistan on June 11 to aid coalition ground forces, according to Air Forces Central. In a June 11 release, the command said a B-1B dropped 500-pound and 2,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions on enemy rocket teams near Bermel. And, near Deh Chopan, a B-1B released 500-pound JDAMs, striking an enemy force. In both cases, Joint Terminal Attack Controllers on the ground confirmed successful strikes. In total in Afghanistan, coalition airmen flew 48 close air support missions and a similar number covering operations in Iraq.
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.
