An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Aug. 12, 2015. (Krystal Ardrey/U.S. Air Force)
The U.S. launched its first manned airstrikes against the Islamic State from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
The strikes were conducted by F-16s with the 31st Fighter Wing from Aviano Air Base, Italy. Six of Aviano’s fighter jets and a detachment of about 300 support personnel moved to Incirlik on Sunday to provide additional airpower against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria.
The Pentagon would not specify which Islamic State targets were struck, citing operational security. A defense official said the use of another airbase in Turkey to provide additional combat search and rescue abilities is still under discussion.
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