The Dutch government on Jan. 29 approved extending its mission against ISIS to include airstrikes in Syria, a week after US Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with coalition partners in Paris to discuss the military campaign. Dutch pilots were already flying missions over Iraq. “I am grateful for [Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine] Hennis-Plasschaert’s immediate action following last week’s meeting, and for the continuing commitment from the Dutch people to this fight,” Carter said in a written release. “They have provided a strong example for the 26-nation military coalition, which will gather in Brussels along with representatives from the Iraqi government in two weeks to discuss the progress of the campaign and what additional capabilities are needed from every member nation.” The Dutch government also announced additional funding to support moderate armed Syrian opposition groups, and more money for restoring damaged infrastructure, Carter said.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.