? US airstrikes helped Iraqi and Kurdish ground forces recapture the strategically critical Mosul Dam in northern Iraq from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants, President Obama told reporters on Monday during a press briefing. “Iraqi and Kurdish forces took the lead on the ground and performed with courage and determination,” said Obama. “This operation demonstrates that Iraqi and Kurdish forces are capable of working together in taking the fight to ISIL. If they continue to do so, they will have the strong support of the United States,” he said. On Aug. 18, US strike aircraft carried out 15 attacks near the dam, damaging or destroying ISIL fighting positions, vehicles, and anti-aircraft guns, announced US Central Command. Since Aug. 8, 35 of the 68 US airstrikes against ISIL supported Iraqi forces near the dam, states the release. In addition to fighter, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft, strikes on Aug. 17 included the use of bombers—the apparent first use of them against ISIL. Thus far, the Air Force has declined to identify what specific assets have participated, together with Navy carrier-based fighters, in these sorties, but B-1 bombers do regularly operate from al Udeid, AB Qatar. (See White House blog entry.)
Navy CCA Program’s Shape Coming into Focus
Oct. 17, 2025
In announcing its Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft contract, General Atomics has provided some clues as to where the service is heading with its version of an armed, autonomous fighter escort. It will likely be quite different from the Air Force version.
