US aircraft destroyed ISIS-held equipment and buildings in the city of Palmyra, Syria, which they took from Russian and Syrian control. Sixteen US aircraft on Friday conducted 22 strikes, taking out 14 Russian tanks and anti-aircraft equipment, along with ISIS-held buildings. The equipment was seized earlier this week as ISIS fighters retook the ancient city. US officials said Syria and Russia “took their eyes off” the city as they focused on gains in the rebel-held city of Aleppo. Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said Friday that the US aircraft conducted the air strikes in daylight, also hitting artillery and fighting positions at an airfield near the city. US Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said earlier in the week that the US would move in to take out ISIS and its equipment if Russia and Syria did not act.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.