Capt. Michael S. Menser and crew set a recognized class record for 6,200-mile speed without payload (jet aircraft) of 599.59 mph flying from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., to Monroeville, Ala., to Mullan, Idaho, in a B-1B Lancer. At the same time, Capt. R.F. Lewandowski and crew set the recognized record for a different class for 6,200-mile speed without payload (jet aircraft) of 594.61 mph over the same course, also in a B-1B.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
