US aircraft on Monday conducted precision airstrikes in Sirte, Libya, to support Libyan government-affiliated forces fighting ISIS, the Pentagon announced. President Obama authorized the strikes following a recommendation from Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The strikes “are consistent with our approach to combating ISIL by working with capable and motivated local forces,” Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement. The strikes hit an ISIS tank and two other vehicles, he said. Obama has authorized additional strikes in the future focused on Sirte to help the government of national accord forces advance on ISIS, he said. There have been multiple requests from the government of national accord, though Cook during a Monday briefing would not go into detail about a timeline. “They have asked for this specific assistance and our assistance will be limited to these strikes in this area,” Cook said. There’s not a “specific role” for US ground forces in Sirte, Cook said, though the US has moved special operations troops into Libya before. (See also: Facing ISIS in Africa)
The Air Force tanker fleet “did not meet” its availability and mission capable rate goals from fiscal 2019 to 2025, in large part because of parts shortages and delays fielding the KC-46 refueler, according to a Government Accountability Office report released June 10.