A group of Syrian rebels that received TOW missiles from the US destroyed a Russian rescue helicopter Tuesday, not long after Turkish fighters shot down a Russian Su-24, reported Reuters. Russian military leaders said one of two Mi-8 search and rescue helicopters was forced down by small arms fire and destroyed by mortars, and one marine was killed, according to a Russian release. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told reporters the fighters used a TOW missile to force the helicopter to land, then hit it again with a second missile, reported USA Today. The observatory said everyone on the helicopter was evacuated safely.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…