The state of Oregon called the Air National Guard’s 125th Special Tactics Squadron at Portland into action to help evacuate up to 400 residents from areas flooded by recent storms. Working with Army Guardsmen, the special operations airmen deployed four Zodiac boats to pick up stranded residents since weather conditions prohibited rescue by air. The 125th STS, slated to reach operational readiness this month, is one of AFSOC’s newest special tactics units, which comprise combat controllers, pararescue jumpers, combat weathermen, and support personnel trained to conduct operations in enemy territory. (National Guard Bureau report.)
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
