Aircraft
Airstrikes Slow Over Iraq and Syria
Difficult targeting decisions cited; long campaign foreseen
Two Canadian F-18C Hornet fighters over Iraq, as seen from a U.S. Air Force KC-135. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
Two Canadian F-18C Hornet fighters over Iraq, as seen from a U.S. Air Force KC-135. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

The pace of airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) forces in Iraq and Syria by coalition air forces appears to have slackened this month, with only 45 reported to date. Last month, coalition fighters, bombers and UAVs struck targets on 153 missions over Syria and 188 over Iraq, according to U.S. Centcom reports analyzed by AIN. In October, the totals were 231 and 174, respectively. About one in four strike aircraft that get airborne are actually dropping weapons, according to AIN’s calculations. Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Deborah Lee James claimed this week that the air campaign is “working” but cautioned that “we’re in this for the long ballgame.”