Recently, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tried to get Pentagon journalists to trade in the use of the term “insurgents” to label the enemy elements in Iraq. His suggested alternative: “enemies of the legitimate Iraqi government.” Now, according to a DOD news release, Iraqi officials have told US officials that they should stop calling groups opposed to the coalition “Sunni insurgents.” They said there are many Sunni Arabs who want to engage—legitimately—in the democratic process unfolding in the country. Iraqi officials prefer use of the term “Saddamists.” There’s more. Coalition officials also use the term “Iraqi rejectionists” to refer to those who participate in elections but still attack coalition forces.
KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
July 8, 2025
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker suffered damage to its boom while refueling F-22 Raptors off the coast of Virginia on July 8, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed, with reported radio communication from the crew indicating the boom “detached.”