NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland — The Department of War has largely been quiet about the extent of the damage Iran caused during their conflict, though new details demonstrate the contested and chaotic environment that roughly 50,000 U.S. service members have endured for more than six months now.

Chief of staff of the Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach recently traveled to the Middle East, where he heard firsthand from those in the area of operations about the extraordinary efforts needed to save themselves, their partners, and more. He recalled some of those stories during his keynote address on Monday during the Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference.