US aircraft destroyed ISIS-held equipment and buildings in the city of Palmyra, Syria, which they took from Russian and Syrian control. Sixteen US aircraft on Friday conducted 22 strikes, taking out 14 Russian tanks and anti-aircraft equipment, along with ISIS-held buildings. The equipment was seized earlier this week as ISIS fighters retook the ancient city. US officials said Syria and Russia “took their eyes off” the city as they focused on gains in the rebel-held city of Aleppo. Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said Friday that the US aircraft conducted the air strikes in daylight, also hitting artillery and fighting positions at an airfield near the city. US Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said earlier in the week that the US would move in to take out ISIS and its equipment if Russia and Syria did not act.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
