An MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle struck enemy combatants with a 500-pound laser-guided bomb and Hellfire missiles May 15 in the vicinity of Sangin, Afghanistan, Air Forces Central announced May 16. In Nangalam, an F-15E hit an enemy combatant fighting position with a 500-pound joint direct attack munition. Also on May 15, Royal Air Force GR9 Harriers fired rockets onto enemy combatants in the vicinity of Sangin, AFCENT said.
The incoming head of the 7th Air Force will face an intense mission while relying on fourth-generation fighters to stave off looming threats from North Korea and China.