US Army Apaches began combat strikes in Iraq on Monday, hitting an ISIS vehicle as part of the push to retake Mosul. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, speaking while en route to Brussels to meet with NATO defense ministers, said the combat helicopter struck a vehicle early Monday morning, reported The Associated Press. More than one Apache flew on Monday, but only one fired, he said. The Apaches have been deployed to Iraq for months, but did not start combat operations until Monday. The US has repeatedly offered the use of the helicopters in the fight against ISIS, but the Iraqi government did not previously give approval.
Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost—a trailblazer and one of the first 10 women to reach a four-star rank across the U.S. military—retired and passed control of U.S. Transportation Command to Air Force Gen. Randall Reed on Oct. 4, finishing an eventful tenure at TRANSCOM.