Air Power Against Islamic State ... More or Less

摘要

ONE RECENTLY RETIRED senior officer told me that US Air Force operations against the Islamic State (IS), previously called ISIS, are 'being carried out by the forces already in theater.' That means B-1B Lancers operating from Al Udeid, Qatar, and F-15E Strike Eagles as well as unmanned assets. 'They rotate these guys a lot', a different insider told me, 'so look for some of the assets at Bagram to move closer to the fighting in Iraq and Syria.' Carrier strike group operations by the US Navy, spearheaded by F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, have been getting a little attention in the media. We also saw AV-8B Harrier IIs from the USS Bataan (LHD 5) lashing out at militants near the Haditha Dam. But the USAir Force? The US Air Force has been less visible.