The Pentagon on Thursday denied claims from a pro-ISIS media outlet that the group had downed a US combat jet in Syria. The Amaq news agency, a main outlet for pro-ISIS propaganda, claimed Thursday morning that the group downed a USAF A-10 near Hasakah, Syria. Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook immediately denied the claim, saying all US aircraft had been accounted for. This isn’t the first time ISIS has claimed it had shot down a US plane. In July, Amaq said ISIS downed another US jet and killed its crew, prompting US Central Command to immediately deny that it happened.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.