On Wednesday, Jan. 18, Whiteman's Total Force team executed precision strikes against two Daesh training camps in Libya, according to Whiteman Air Force Base.

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Senior Airman Joel Pfiester
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The strikes, which were completed by two B-2s over the course of a 30-plus hour mission, were enabled by the dedication and professionalism of every Team Whiteman member, according to a press release.

The B-2s made the 11,694-mile round-trip flight to strike targets located approximately 28 miles south of the coastal city of Sirte in Libya. The B-2s refueled during the course of the mission, which reportedly killed 80 ISIS militants. WAFB is located near Knob Noster.

Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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The strikes "validated our ability to strike targets across the globe anytime, anywhere," WAFB said.

According to the Associated Press, the strikes were carried out overnight and were authorized by President Barack Obama. It marked perhaps the final use of military force by a wartime president who intervened in Libya in 2011 as part of a coalition that ultimately toppled dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

The mission was an effort to eliminate extremists who had escaped the former Islamic State stronghold of Sirte.

The spokesman says the attacks were made in conjunction with the Libyan government of national accord. He did not say how many militants may have been killed.

A defense official says the Pentagon believes no civilians were killed in the strikes, while "several dozen" Islamic State militants are thought to have been killed.

 

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