USAF reveals existence of new stealth reconnaissance remotely piloted aircraft, the RQ- 170 Sentinel, built by Lockheed Martin and operated by the 30th Reconnaissance Squadron, Tonopah Test Range, Nev. (USAF statement) On Dec. 7, 2009, the Air Force confirms to Air Force Magazine’s Daily Report that the RQ-170 Sentinel is the same mystery aircraft that has been photographed near Kandahar AB, Afghanistan.
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.

