Air Force Special Operations Command ends operational use of the MH-53 Pave Low helicopter. The last six in service completed combat operations in Southwest Asia on Sept. 27 and were being transported back to the states for retirement. The Pave Lows had served for 40 years, including combat in the Vietnam War.
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.
