A USAF Predator UAV and A-10s, along with RAF GR-7s, provided close air support on Aug. 24 to coalition troops who came under fire from anti-coalition militia in two locations in Afghanistan. The Warthogs used a combination of general-purpose 500-pound bombs, rockets, and 30mm cannon rounds.
Demonstrating capabilities needed for its Agile Combat Employment concept of operating from scattered locations with a minimal logistics footprint, the Air Force flew an MQ-9 Reaper remotely-piloted aircraft across the Pacific, operating with none of its usual launch-and-recovery gear and with non-expert ground crews. It required only seven people and…