Some of the 560 new troops headed to Iraq will rebuild the airfield at the newly retaken town of Qayyarah so US and Iraqi aircraft can use it as a staging point for the fight on Mosul. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said earlier this week the new deployment would build on momentum gained by Iraqi forces in the fight against ISIS, including retaking the key airfield south of Mosul. Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said Thursday the coalition will work to improve the runway at the airfield so “both cargo and other aircraft” can use it as a launching pad to Mosul. Cook said he would not “get into what aircraft would be there or not” but he did not rule out the possibility of US F-16s deploying there.
Trump Says US Will Sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia
Nov. 17, 2025
President Donald Trump said he plans to sell F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, announcing his decision Nov. 17, a day before he meets the country’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
