Iraqi forces need to take action to retake the ISIS-controlled city of Ramadi as soon as possible to prevent resupply and fortification by the terrorist group, US Central Command said Friday. Iraq has enough troops and equipment near the city to attack ISIS, but they “have not made any significant forward movement recently,” CENTCOM spokesman Col. Patrick Ryder said. Iraqi troops have been taking positions around the city, but significant “defensive obstacles” remain in their way. “We’re consulting with their leaders and their forces to move, when they are ready, as quickly as possible,” Ryder said. The US has trained 14,000 Iraqis to help with Operation Inherent Resolve, and there is another 1,900 currently in training. CENTCOM expects that number to increase after the Eid al-Adha holiday, with a class of 2,000 set to begin training Oct. 1.
Boeing’s receipt of the 10th lot contract award for the KC-46 Pegasus this week leaves just three lots left to complete the Air Force’s buy of the tanker, although a further buy of 75 additional aircraft as a “bridge” to the Next-Generation Aerial-refueling System (NGAS) seems increasingly likely.