The recent deployment of US F-16s to Incirlik AB, Turkey, has been effective in the fight against ISIS because the fighters are able to arrive to the battlespace quicker than if they were deployed to another location, such as Qatar or Kuwait. The less time traveling means the F-16s can loiter on scene longer, and can quickly return to base for a hot-pit refueling and rearming before coming right back, said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, the Chief of Staff for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, in an Aug. 21 Pentagon briefing. The six F-16s, which deployed to Incirlik on Aug. 9 from Aviano AB Italy, are conducting airstrikes in Syria regularly, Killea said. The Task Force is still negotiating to get Turkey more involved in the fight against ISIS. Defense Secretary Ash Carter sai?d on Aug. 20 the country needs to do more to assist in the fight.
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.