After Israeli aircraft carried out operations in Syria on March 16, the country’s Arrow-3 missile defense system got its first taste of action, according to the Jerusalem Post. The system’s first deployment is relevant both in showcasing its abilities and in confirming Israel’s operations in Syria. According to an Israeli Air Force statement, “IAF aircraft targeted several targets in Syria,” and during the operation and the ensuing Syrian counterfire—which resulted in Arrow’s moment to shine—“At no point was the safety of Israeli civilians or the IAF aircraft compromised.” Despite Israel’s claims, Sy?ria said one of its SAMs did take down an Israeli aircraft, according to the BBC. And while Israel claimed the Arrow-3 intercepted one of the SAMs, two others landed in Israel, according to the article.
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.