F-15Es dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs and 500-pound and 2,000-pound joint direct attack munitions on enemy combatants engaging friendly forces in the vicinity of Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on July 5, Air Forces Central said in a release. Also, A-10s attacked anti-Afghan government forces with 500-pound LGBs near Zormat and a B-1B struck enemy combatants near Musa Qaleh with 500-pound JDAMs. All of these missions were reported by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers as being successful, AFCENT said. In total, there were 43 close-air-support missions in Afghanistan and 55 in Iraq on July 5.
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.