Iraqi Air Force Flies First Ever F-16 Combat Sortie Alongside Coalition Aircraft

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - An Iraqi pilot flew an F-16 fighter jet in the nation’s first combat sortie in a defensive mission above the Iraqi-Syrian border this week alongside other coalition aircraft, US Central Command’s (CENTCOM) Operation Inherent Resolve disclosed in a press release on Wednesday.

"The sortie represents a milestone as the Global Coalition Against Daesh* continues to work by, with and through the Iraqi Security Forces to build Iraqi airpower through Security Forces Advisement," the release said.

This marks the first time Iraqi Air Force fighter aircraft have flown a combat sortie alongside Coalition aircraft, the release said.

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The US-led coalition against Daesh is attempting to create a sustainable Iraqi Security Force that can secure the nation's borders and ensure a lasting defeat of the terror group, the release added.

 *Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/Islamic State/IS), a terrorist group banned in Russia and a wide number of other countries.