German Tornados arrived at Incirlik AB, Turkey, in December, to join the efforts against ISIS in Syria, according to the Air Force. German lawmakers approved the deployment of Tornado ECR reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft from Jagel AB, Germany, as well as an A310 tanker, for a non?combat role. The 445-146 vote came after requests for help from France, NBC News reported. In mid-December, the 12 US F-15s that deployed to Incirlik in November returned to their home base. The French also launched their only aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to the area in November, just days before the attacks on Paris.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.