The C-27J Spartan flies first combat mission on deployment to Afghanistan. Several C-27Js from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 179th Airlift Wing at Mansfield are being operated by ANG and Army aircrews to support ground operations.
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.