While the US welcomes Turkey’s decision to open its airfields to coalition aircraft for combat operations against ISIS, Turkey needs to do more in the fight against the terrorist group, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in an Aug. 19 Pentagon briefing. The country’s involvement in Operation Inherent Resolve was overdue when it began flying airstrikes in July, and now Turkey needs to work more on securing its border with Syria, he said. ISIS recruits use the porous border to join the group in Syria, and Turkey needs to step up to block these routes, said Carter. Turkey, just last month, agreed to let the US Air Force begin flying combat flights from Incirlik Air Base, and the Pentagon has said its agreement with the country leaves open the possibility that additional bases could be used for airstrike sorties and other missions, such as search and rescue.
KC-135 Crashes In Iraq While Supporting Iran Ops
March 12, 2026
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran crashed during a refueling incident involving two aircraft over Iraq March 12, U.S. Central Command announced. The aircraft were not shot down, CENTCOM added.