Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            U.S. Central Command
                CENTCOM
        Search
                    Search CENTCOM:
                        Search
                Search CENTCOM:
                    Search
    Home

    ABOUT US
    
        COMMAND PRIORITIES

    LEADERSHIP

    COMPONENT COMMANDS

    HISTORY

    POSTURE STATEMENT

    CENTCOM AOR
    
        CENTCOM COALITION

    OPERATIONS AND EXERCISES
    
        USMTM

    CONTACT
    
        OPERATIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT

    COMMUNITY RELATIONS

    THEATRE MEDICAL CLEARANCE

    INNOVATION VENDOR PORTAL

    MILITARY MEMBER INNOVATION PORTAL

    MEDIA
    
        SOCIAL MEDIA

    NEWS ARTICLES

    PRESS RELEASES

    STATEMENTS

    IMAGERY

    VIDEOS

    TRANSCRIPTS

    VISITORS AND PERSONNEL
    
        FAMILY CENTER

    FAMILY READINESS

    CENTCOM WEBMAIL

    SOCIAL MEDIA SECURITY

    ACCOUNTABILITY

    EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

    USCENTCOM UNCLASSIFIED REGULATIONS

    FOIA LIBRARY

    INNOVATION OASIS

    WELCOME GUIDE  Home
  MEDIA
  NEWS ARTICLES
  News Article View
 News
 OIR Official Outlines Gains, Pays Tribute to Fallen Soldiers By Lisa Ferdinando
                DoD News, Defense Media Activity
 Coalition and partnered forces in Iraq and Syria are making progress against an increasingly desperate, fanatical enemy, the spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today. 






An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies after receiving fuel from a KC-10 Extender while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, May 31, 2017. The A-10's combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Battles




An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies in an undisclosed location after receiving fuel from a KC-10 Extender while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, May 31, 2017. The A-10’s combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Battles
        Thunderbolt Flight
            An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies after receiving fuel from a KC-10 Extender while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, May 31, 2017. The A-10's combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Battles

            SHARE IMAGE:

                Download Image
                    Image Details
                    
                    Photo By: Staff Sgt. Michael Battles
                    
                    VIRIN: 170531-F-MI569-1830C The coalition continues to conduct strikes in both Iraq and Syria, Army Col. Ryan Dillon told reporters at the Pentagon in a teleconference from Baghdad. Syrian Democratic Forces have cleared about 55 percent of Raqqa, the self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, he said. In Iraq, the Iraqi federal police continue to conduct security operations in Mosul, Dillon said, noting the coalition maintains support to the Iraqi security forces as they reset and prepare for follow-on operations in Ninevah province. **Tribute to 'Courageous Paratroopers'** Dillion paid tribute to two soldiers who died Aug. 13 while engaging in combat operations in Iraq. "Sgt. Allen Stigler, 22, of Arlington, Texas, and Sgt. Roshain Brooks, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, artillerymen with the 82nd Airborne Division, were killed while conducting a counterfire mission against an ISIS mortar site when an explosion occurred," he said. There is no indication the deaths were a result of enemy contact, he said, adding that an investigation is underway.







00:29
    
    

    
    
    
    VIDEO  | 00:29
            |
            OIR Spokesman Offers Condolences to Fallen Soldiers' Families "The Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve extends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and teammates of these courageous paratroopers," he said. The soldiers were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. **ISIS Desperate, Fanatical, Using Drugs to Maintain Fervor** The coalition continues to support Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against ISIS in Syria, conducting more than 200 strikes this week alone, destroying more than 180 ISIS fighting positions, car bombs and other various improvised explosive devices, Dillon said. The terrorists, he said, have emplaced thousands of "fiendishly clever explosives" and dug extensive tunnels throughout Raqqa. The fighting is tough, he said, as "desperate and fanatical terrorists cling to territory with no escape." ISIS terrorists, he said, are using the tunnels and improvised explosive devices to attack advancing SDF fighters as well as noncombatants trying to flee their homes.







00:20
    
    

    
    
    
    VIDEO  | 00:20
            |
            Coalition Spokesman: 'More Than 200 Strikes This Week Alone' "The few ISIS terrorists the SDF managed to capture alive, and the even fewer who have surrendered, show vividly their desperation," he said. "They are malnourished, emaciated, and many of them [are] pocked with needle tracks from what is assessed as amphetamines they use to maintain their murderous fervor." The internal security forces in Syria are strengthening, the colonel said. Those joining the fight against ISIS include more than 200 female volunteers who graduated from a training course this week, Dillon pointed out. (Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter: @FerdinandoDoD)
 SHARE
 PRINT
 Related Videos Full Event Video
 Related Links Special Report: Operation Inherent Resolve
  Transcript: Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Dillon via Teleconference From Baghdad
 About UsCommand PrioritiesLeadershipComponent
   CommandsHistoryPosture Statement
   Area of
   ResponsibilityCENTCOM Coalition
   Operations And
   ExercisesOperation Inherent
   ResolveResolute Support
   MediaSocial MediaNews ArticlesPress ReleasesVideo And Imagery
   Visitors And
   PersonnelFamily ReadinessCENTCOM WebmailSocial MediaSecurityAccountabilityEmergency
   Preparedness
   ContactCommunity Relations
                    Stay Connected
                
                Privacy & Security  Inspector General  FOIA  Privacy Act
            

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil