The Air Force this summer quietly deployed MQ-9 Reapers to Tunisia to fly reconnaissance missions over Libya as part of the anti-ISIS mission there. The Washington Post reported Thursday that the deployment began in June and that the aircraft were not armed. The Reapers mostly focused on Sirte, where ISIS fighters were dug in for a prolonged battle against Government of National Accord forces. US aircraft have been busy in the fight in Libya, flying 351 airstrikes since Aug. 1, according to US Africa Command. Aircraft on Oct. 26 flew six strikes, all targeting vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in Sirte.
House, Senate Unveil Competing Proposals for 2026 Budget
July 11, 2025
Lawmakers from the House and Senate laid out competing versions of the annual defense policy bill on July 11, with vastly different potential outcomes for some of the Air Force’s most embattled programs.