Russia has been flying intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flights over Syria since the country began deploying troops and equipment in territory friendly to Syrian President Bashar al Assad, US Central Command officials said Friday. The command has tracked Russian ISR flights, in addition to the cargo sorties into the country, but has not seen any evidence of airstrikes or other combat activity, CENTCOM spokesman Col. Patrick Ryder said in a briefing with reporters. In the past few weeks, Russia has deployed fighter/attack aircraft, helicopters, modular housing, anti-aircraft missiles, tanks, and other support equipment to an airbase near Latakia. The US has repeatedly said it is unclear what Russia’s intentions are, but any actions to support the Assad regime would be “a real concern,” Ryder said. CENTCOM has not made any military contact with Russia, and the coalition will continue flying airstrikes in the country despite these deployments. (See also The Russia Calculus in Syria.)
Navy CCA Program’s Shape Coming into Focus
Oct. 17, 2025
In announcing its Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft contract, General Atomics has provided some clues as to where the service is heading with its version of an armed, autonomous fighter escort. It will likely be quite different from the Air Force version.
