Airmen and aircraft deployed from Little Rock AFB, Ark., to Southwest Asia have moved into Iraq—to Balad Air Base—to reduce the distance they fly, making it possible to haul more cargo and passengers, say unit officials. The airmen of Little Rock’s 463rd Airlift Group also changed their in-theater designation to the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, part of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad.
The U.S. military conducted a punishing series of airstrikes against Islamic State militants on Dec. 8 following the sudden demise of the ruling Assad regime. U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers, F-15E Strike Eagles, and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft conducted dozens of airstrikes against Islamic State leaders, fighters, and…