Feb. 1, 2016

Inherent Resolve commander: Strikes, indigenous forces grind down ISIL

Airstrikes in Syria and Iraq are wearing down the forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today while describing the coalition air campaign and the evolving train-and-assist mission. Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland briefed Pentagon reporters here via a live video feed from Baghdad on the progress of continuing efforts in Iraq and Syria to help local troops win against ISIL.

Jan. 27, 2016

Nicholson to succeed Campbell as commander in Afghanistan

he U.S. Army commander of NATO land forces has been selected to succeed Army Gen. John F. Campbell as the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, the Pentagon press secretary said today. Army Lt. Gen. John W. "Mick" Nicholson Jr. is an accomplished soldier with extensive command experience in Afghanistan and around the world, Peter Cook said at a news briefing, reading a statement from Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

Jan. 22, 2016

CENTCOM official calls aerial assault on ISIL the most precise in history

The aerial assault on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is the most precise in history, but there are still some civilian casualties, a U.S. Central Command official said here today.

Jan. 21, 2016

Dunford: Efforts to isolate Raqqa showing success

The effort to isolate the Syrian city of Raqqa in the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is producing some success, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Isolating Raqqa, ISIL's stronghold and administrative capital, entails finding moderate Syrian opposition forces, supporting them with ammunition, and having them take action on the ground to cut access, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. told reporters here yesterday ahead of today’s NATO military chiefs of staff meeting.

Jan. 13, 2016

Carter: Lasting defeat of ISIL depends on Coalition strength

Delivering a lasting defeat to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant must be a global effort, and coalition partners and others must step up their contributions to the escalating fight, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Jan. 9, 2016

Dunford: Iraqi forces building momentum against ISIL

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. spoke to reporters following a two-day visit to Iraq. During the visit he met with U.S. and Iraqi leaders including Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones and Army Gen. Sean McFarland, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.

Jan. 8, 2016

Airmen assist first responders after IED blast at Kabul airport

Four Bagram Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron sprang into action following a terrorist attack on a compound in Kabul, Afghanistan Jan. 4.

Jan. 5, 2016

After 60 years of service, U-2 still a go-to reconnaissance aircraft over Southwest Asia

The U-2S is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude, reconnaissance, and surveillance aircraft capable of providing signals, imagery, electronic measurements, and signature intelligence to U.S. and coalition forces.