US aircraft on Oct. 2 had the busiest day in the two-month-long fight against ISIS in Libya, conducting 20 airstrikes on dozens of enemy positions around Sirte. The strikes hit 71 ISIS fighting positions, along with vehicle-borne improvised explosive device facilities and supply locations, US Africa Command announced. The barrage brings the total number of strikes conducted during Operation Odyssey Lightning since it kicked off on Aug. 1 to 201. US forces, including US Marine Corps Harriers and Air Force remotely piloted aircraft, have been supporting Libyan Government of National Accord troops in their attempt to clear the city of ISIS fighters. GNA troops over the weekend fought off an ambush by ISIS and lost eight soldiers, according to Reuters.
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.