An Air Force F-16 dropped 500-pound joint direct attack munitions onto enemy buildings in the vicinity of Baghdad May 1, Air Forces Central officials said in its daily summary of coalition air sorties. The mission was declared a success by a joint terminal attack controller.
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.