The first structural element of the new Air Force Memorial is now in place on the site overlooking the Pentagon. Construction crews hoisted the 40-foot tall, 28-ton base section of the first spire into position on Feb. 10. 
The memorial includes three stainless steel spires—the highest of which will rise 270 feet—that are being delivered in 15 segments over the next four months. The Air Force Memorial Foundation plans to complete the project in September and formally open the site on Oct. 13.
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.