There are more than 100 US troops on the ground in the fight against ISIS for Mosul, Iraq, including air controllers helping to call in strikes. US and coalition aircraft, in the first day of the offensive against ISIS in Mosul, destroyed or suppressed dozens of ISIS targets, according to US Central Command. Strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and two staging areas, destroyed 10 mortar systems, five artillery systems, four ISIS buildings, four fighting positions, four vehicles, two supply caches, two tower generators, a vehicle bomb facility, and a vehicle bomb, CENTCOM announced. Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said during a Tuesday briefing that there are more than 100 US troops on the ground near Mosul, advising Iraqi and peshmerga troops, including joint terminal attack controllers. ISIS is using human shields in the fight, an example of the “ugly” battle Iraqi forces have expected, Davis said, according to Reuters. Forces so far have faced stiff resistance, with ISIS claiming 12 suicide attacks on the first day, according to The Washington Post.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
