US Army Apaches began combat strikes in Iraq on Monday, hitting an ISIS vehicle as part of the push to retake Mosul. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, speaking while en route to Brussels to meet with NATO defense ministers, said the combat helicopter struck a vehicle early Monday morning, reported The Associated Press. More than one Apache flew on Monday, but only one fired, he said. The Apaches have been deployed to Iraq for months, but did not start combat operations until Monday. The US has repeatedly offered the use of the helicopters in the fight against ISIS, but the Iraqi government did not previously give approval.
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
