U.S. Central Command Commander General Lloyd J. Austin III on Oct. 17, 2014. Defense Department Photo
The U.S. Central Command has seen no evidence that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL) terrorist group is operating its own warplanes. Read More
An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Valions of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15 takes off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). US Navy Photo
The first Iraq War was called Operation Desert Storm, the second Iraq war was called Operation Iraqi Freedom, but what will the third Iraq war be called? Read More
MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 launches from USS Makin Island (LHD-8) on Aug. 24, 2014. US Navy Photo
The Marine presumed lost at sea following a bail out from a MV-22 Osprety tilt-rotor has been identified, according to a Friday afternoon release from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Read More
An MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM) 163 lands aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego in 2013. US Navy Photo
The Navy and Marines have suspended the search for a Marine who bailed out of a MV-22 tilt-rotor Osprey during a Wednesday takeoff from USS Makin Island (LHD-8) operating in the Persian Gulf, the service said in a Thursday statement. Read More
MV-22 Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) launches from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) on Aug. 16, 2014. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are searching the northern part of the Persian Gulf after two crew “bailed out” from a Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft on Wednesday. Read More
The Pentagon’s Iraq Campaign medal.
The official entrance of the United States into a third Iraq War means it is time to authorize a new campaign ribbon for those currently carrying out operations in Iraq and Syria. Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) officially concluded with the departure of U.S. Forces from Iraq in December 2011. Read More
ISIS fighters in Iraq. Reuters Photo
Shortly before the United States and some Sunni Arab nations attacked targets with aircraft and cruise missiles against targets of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) late Monday in Syria, a former National Security Council adviser to the Bush administration said that air strikes had value in taking on ISIS. Read More
USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) launches a Tomahawk cruise missile as seen from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) on Sept. 23, 2014. US Navy Photo
The start of U.S. airstrikes in Syria early Tuesday morning local time marks a major expansion of the air campaign begun in northern Iraq to target the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL). Read More
Undated photo of ISIS militants
The Senate vote of 78-22 to approve a temporary spending bill that included money to support training of vetted Syrian opposition groups to fight Islamist fundamentalists drew praise from President Barack Obama late Thursday. Read More
A version of this piece originally appeared in the Center for International Maritime Security’s NextWar blog.
Thirteen years ago America woke up to the Long War. Sept. 10 was a sadly appropriate time for the President Barack Obama to address the continuation of the conflict, now opposing the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL). Read More
