The US-led coalition targeting ISIS has determined that three airstrikes possibly resulted in civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria, and will further investigate three more. Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve received 18 reports of possible civilian casualties from airstrikes it conducted in October, according to a Thursday news release. Of those, 12 were determined to not be credible, three are viewed as credible, and three more need further investigation to determine if the claims are credible. The coalition, because it is unable to visit the site of airstrikes, investigates by interviewing aircrew, viewing surveillance and targeting video, and using open source and classified intelligence, the release states.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.