
Air Force F-15Es and F-16s have conducted strikes in Iraq in recent days, the Pentagon said Monday, joining Navy F/A-18s that engaged in the initial bombing runs against Islamist militants threatening the northern city of Erbil and ethnic minority groups. Army Lt. Gen. Bill Mayville, the Joint Staff director of operations, told reporters the aircraft, along with the unmanned MQ-1 Predators, have carried out a combined 15 airstrikes since operations began on Friday against the Islamic State, also known as…