USAF flies B-52 bombers to the Middle East to launch 13 cruise missiles against military targets in Iraq under Operation Desert Strike, which is in response to Iraqi troops’ seizure of the city of Irbil, located in a zone protected by the US for Kurds in northern Iraq.
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.