Oct. 6, 2023

After U.S. Downs Turkish Drone in Syria, Focus Remains on Defeat ISIS Mission

WASHINGTON D.C. - An American F-16 fighter aircraft shot down a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle that had been observed conducting airstrikes in a U.S.-restricted operating zone about a kilometer from U.S. forces in Syria today.  During a phone call between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, the two leaders discussed the incident and agreed that while it is regrettable, the focus must remain on the important mission to defeat ISIS in Syria, said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder during a media briefing today. 

Oct. 6, 2023

U.S. 5th Fleet Enhances Middle East Maritime Security with Unmanned Capabilities

MANAMA, Bahrain — Last month, naval forces in the Middle East region successfully integrated unmanned platforms with traditionally crewed ships and aircraft to conduct enhanced maritime security operations in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula.