The Defense Department has reversed its previous statement that ISIS used chemical weapons against US troops during an encounter on Sept. 20. Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters during a briefing on Wednesday that a “series of follow-on tests” concluded “it was not sulfur mustard.” No US troops were injured in the attack, which Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford had previously characterized as deploying “a blistering mustard agent,” and Davis said the Defense Department was unaware of ISIS making any use of chemicals weapons since then. “That said, we recognize that ISIL has used them on multiple occasions on both sides of the border and we should expect it’s a very real threat we will face as we continue to progress,” he said.
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.