March 28, 2018

Afghan UH-60 Black Hawks will be mission-ready this summer

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — The Afghan Air Force is expected to start flying missions with its new fleet of UH-60 Black Hawks before summer sets in.

March 27, 2018

General Highlights Airpower in Fight Against ISIS

WASHINGTON — Coalition airpower support of Iraqi forces has been successful in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and it is the coalition’s job to enhance capabilities within the Iraqi aviation enterprise, an Operation Inherent Resolve official said.

March 23, 2018

The ma’am behind the mustache

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN — In the dark of night in Afghanistan, a pilot gathers all the gear required for an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter training mission: medical kit, survival vest, night-vision goggles, and sidearm. Excitement fills the air as the engines start, but the crew maintains their focus as they hurriedly finish loading their gear onto the aircraft and run through their preflight checklists. Adrenaline courses as the pilot settles into the combat mission mindset.

March 22, 2018

Nicholson says situation in Afghanistan has fundamentally changed

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The South Asia Strategy fundamentally changed the situation in Afghanistan, and the Resolute Support mission commander believes it may provide the key for reconciliation and peace in the country.

March 21, 2018

Enhanced capabilities support Afghan Army in Maimanah

MAIMANAH, Afghanistan — The fight against terror and the enemies of Afghanistan in the North got a boost this week as international military advisers joined soldiers with the Afghan National Army 209th Corps, 1st Brigade, in Maimanah, Faryab province.

March 19, 2018

DoD spokesman urges focus on humanitarian issues, defeating ISIS in Syria

WASHINGTON — As the Syrian Democratic Forces continue to develop their defensive positions against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in the middle Euphrates River valley, it’s important to stay focused on the key objectives, a Pentagon spokesman said.

March 19, 2018

Dunford arrives in Afghanistan to assess campaign plan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Afghanistan to assess the campaign plan now that all personnel are in place and the South Asia strategy is in full swing.

March 15, 2018

AFCENT innovation summit: 'We’re here to win wars'

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — U.S. Air Forces Central Command hosted its second annual innovation summit, March 8-9, bringing military and academic minds together to brainstorm warfighting challenges and assess progress made in collaboration between the Defense Innovation Experimental Unit and the Combined Air Operations Center.

March 13, 2018

Defeat of ISIS ‘within our grasp,’ Centcom commander says

WASHINGTON — The United States and its partners have made significant progress in Iraq and Syria, but investments are needed to ensure the gains endure, the commander of U.S. Central Command said.

March 12, 2018

Kuwait, Iraq, U.S. conclude trilateral exercise

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS — The U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Iraqi Navy, Kuwait Naval Force and Kuwait Coast Guard completed a Kuwait, Iraq and U.S. trilateral exercise (TRILAT), Feb. 22.