According to a July 10 release from Air Forces Central, US and coalition forces supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq during June set a new airdrop record. They airdropped 3.25 million pounds of supplies in Afghanistan, marking the most airdropped in one month in that theater since operations began in fall 2001. The tactical airdrops supported coalition forces in remote locations and provided humanitarian relief to Afghan civilians. In Iraq, coalition air forces conducted no airstrikes that employed munitions, which is the first time there were zero since operations began there in 2003. In May, coalition air forces dropped three munitions to support Iraq operations.
President Donald Trump signed legislation reopening the federal government late Nov. 12, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The move sets the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guarantees troops will be paid in a few days’ time.
