Two Air Force units and a Marine Corps squadron are deploying to assist in the US-led fight against ISIS. A-10s and more than 500 airmen from the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing deployed on April 12 for the wing’s first major mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, according to a wing release. F-16s and about 300 airmen from the 480th Fighter Squadron on April 7 also deployed from Spangdahlem AB, Germany, to join the fight, the base announced. Both units will operate from an undisclosed base in the Middle East. The Marine Corps this week deployed a squadron of EA-6B Prowler aircraft from Marine Corps Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 to Incirlik AB, Turkey, to provide “an umbrella of protection to coalition aircraft and ground troops in the fight against ISIL,” US European Command said in an April 14 statement.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.