Iraqi Security Forces liberated the city of Qal’at Sherqat, also known as Ashur, on Sept. 22, moving closer to its goal of taking back Mosul from ISIS, Air Force Col. John Dorrian, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said during a Friday briefing. “The removal of Daesh from Sherqat moves them further away from Iraqi supply lines and inhibits their freedom of movement, leading up to the liberation of Mosul,” Dorrian said. Also, coalition forces conducted airstrikes along the Tigris River, destroying ISIS weapons caches and boats and targeting “tactical units that may otherwise have been engaged in the liberation battle.” US commanders have said the coalition is prepared for the battle to reclaim Mosul and are waiting on the go ahead from Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi.
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.