A coalition airstrike near the Qayyarah air field in Iraq allegedly killed at least 20 Sunni tribal fighters who were reportedly mistaken for ISIS militants. After midnight on Oct. 5, coalition strikes hit a position that was reportedly firing on Iraqi forces, said Canadian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. DJ Anderson, the director of partner force development and the ministerial liaison team for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, during a Wednesday briefing. The coalition has heard reports that friendly forces were hit and is beginning an investigation, he said. The commander of the group the Tribal Mobilisation in Nineveh province told the BBC his group repelled an attack by ISIS when it was hit by fire from an aircraft. US aircraft were reportedly flying air support for friendly forces during the battle.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.