On August 6, 1945, the modified USD 3 billion B-29 Superfortress 'Enola Gay' dropped the 'Little Boy' atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The aircraft released the weapon from 31,000 feet, instantly changing the course of global military history.


‘$3 Billion Bomber?’: What was the cost of the US aircraft that decimated a Japanese city

On August 6, 1945, the United States deployed a highly modified Boeing B-29 Superfortress to drop the first atomic weapon used in warfare. This unprecedented mission instantly altered global geopolitics and demonstrated a terrifying new threshold of military power.


'31,000 feet above Hiroshima': This US aircraft was used to drop the atomic bomb in 1945

US forces conducted two separate strikes in Syria, killing 37 "terrorist operatives," including members of the Islamic State group and Al Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din, the military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday.

A September 24 strike in northwest Syria killed nine "terrorist operatives," including senior Hurras al-Din leader Marwan Bassam 'Abd-al-Ra'uf, the US military said.

A September 16 strike in central Syria targeted an IS training camp and killed at least 28 people, including four senior leaders, the statement said. It did not identify the leaders.&nbsp;

The US military has around 900 troops in Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group. The coalition was established in 2014 to help combat the armed group, which had taken over vast swaths of Iraq and Syria.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasrallah-death-netanyahu-reveals-he-gave-the-order-to-kill-hezbollah-chief-he-would-have-quickly-762857">Netanyahu reveals he issued the ‘order’ to kill Hezbollah chief Nasrallah</a>

"These strikes against leadership and operatives of ISIS and the Al Qaeda affiliate, Hurras al-Din, represent CENTCOM's commitment to the enduring defeat of terrorist organizations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility and our support to regional stability," said General Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM's commander.

Anti-IS coalition forces have been targeted dozens of times with drones and rocket fire in both Iraq and Syria, as violence related to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since last year has drawn in armed groups across the Middle East.&nbsp;

US forces have carried out multiple retaliatory strikes against militant factions in both countries.

In August, US forces killed another Hurras al-Din leader, Abu Abdul Rahman al-Makki, in a strike in Syria.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

US forces conducted two separate strikes in Syria, killing 37 "terrorist operatives," including members of the Islamic State group and Al Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din, the military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday.

US forces conducted two separate strikes in Syria, killing 37 "terrorist operatives," including members of the Islamic State group and Al Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din, the military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday. A September 24 strike in northwest Syria killed nine "terrorist operatives," including senior Hurras al-Din leader Marwan Bassam 'Abd-al-Ra'uf, the US military said. A September 16 strike in central Syria targeted an IS training camp and killed at least 28 people, including four senior leaders, the statement said. It did not identify the leaders. The US military has around 900 troops in Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group. The coalition was established in 2014 to help combat the armed group, which had taken over vast swaths of Iraq and Syria. Also read: Netanyahu reveals he issued the ‘order’ to kill Hezbollah chief Nasrallah "These strikes against leadership and operatives of ISIS and the Al Qaeda affiliate, Hurras al-Din, represent CENTCOM's commitment to the enduring defeat of terrorist organizations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility and our support to regional stability," said General Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM's commander. Anti-IS coalition forces have been targeted dozens of times with drones and rocket fire in both Iraq and Syria, as violence related to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since last year has drawn in armed groups across the Middle East. US forces have carried out multiple retaliatory strikes against militant factions in both countries. In August, US forces killed another Hurras al-Din leader, Abu Abdul Rahman al-Makki, in a strike in Syria. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US airstrikes in Syria eliminate 37 militants including top ISIS, Al Qaeda affiliate leaders

Countries are rushing to bolster their defences as the war rages on in Ukraine. The defence industry worldwide is profiting from the fears raised by the war.

Gravitas: Military spending surges globally

The United States military said on Tuesday that it launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on August 16 at 12:49am Pacific Time.&nbsp;

The military informed that the test was delayed to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing during China's show of force near Taiwan earlier this month.&nbsp;

The test was also cancelled in April by the military, as the nation wanted to delay the test to lower nuclear tensions with Moscow during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;

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The test has been conducted to demonstrate the readiness of the United States nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent.&nbsp;

Col. Chris Cruise, 576th Flight Test Squadron Commander, said, "Make no mistake - our nuclear triad is the cornerstone of the national security of our country and of our allies around the globe."&nbsp;

He added, "This scheduled test launch is demonstrative of how our nation's ICBM fleet illustrates our readiness and reliability of the weapon system. It is also a great platform to show the skill sets and expertise of our strategic weapons maintenance personnel and of our missile crews who maintain an unwavering vigilance to defend the homeland."&nbsp;

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WATCH |&nbsp;Iran demands US flexibility over Nuke deal&nbsp;

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The nuclear-capable Minuteman III is made by Boeing Co. (BA.N) and it is termed as key to the US military's strategic arsenal.&nbsp;

The missile has a range of 9,660-plus kms and can travel at a speed of approximately 24,000 kph.&nbsp;

Maj. Armand Wong, Task Force commander, said, "Our test launches are scheduled well in advance and are not reactionary to world events. A meticulous planning process for each launch begins six-months to a year prior to launch."&nbsp;

"Our best Airmen from each of the three missile wings worked in conjunction with the 576th Flight Test Squadron to proudly showcase some very technical skills that comprise the heart of our nuclear deterrence mission,"&nbsp;Maj. Wong added.&nbsp;

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The United States military said on Tuesday that it launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on August 16 at 12:49am Pacific Time.

The United States military said on Tuesday that it launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on August 16 at 12:49am Pacific Time. The military informed that the test was delayed to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing during China's show of force near Taiwan earlier this month. The test was also cancelled in April by the military, as the nation wanted to delay the test to lower nuclear tensions with Moscow during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. ALSO READ | India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Study The test has been conducted to demonstrate the readiness of the United States nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent. Col. Chris Cruise, 576th Flight Test Squadron Commander, said, "Make no mistake - our nuclear triad is the cornerstone of the national security of our country and of our allies around the globe." He added, "This scheduled test launch is demonstrative of how our nation's ICBM fleet illustrates our readiness and reliability of the weapon system. It is also a great platform to show the skill sets and expertise of our strategic weapons maintenance personnel and of our missile crews who maintain an unwavering vigilance to defend the homeland." ALSO READ | Chinese 'surveillance' ship docks at Sri Lankan port amid concerns in India WATCH | Iran demands US flexibility over Nuke deal × The nuclear-capable Minuteman III is made by Boeing Co. (BA.N) and it is termed as key to the US military's strategic arsenal. The missile has a range of 9,660-plus kms and can travel at a speed of approximately 24,000 kph. Maj. Armand Wong, Task Force commander, said, "Our test launches are scheduled well in advance and are not reactionary to world events. A meticulous planning process for each launch begins six-months to a year prior to launch." "Our best Airmen from each of the three missile wings worked in conjunction with the 576th Flight Test Squadron to proudly showcase some very technical skills that comprise the heart of our nuclear deterrence mission," Maj. Wong added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US carries out ICBM test to demonstrate readiness of nuclear forces, says 'not reactionary to world events'

The US military has officially ended operations in a former Islamic State bastion in Libya, officials have announced.

The Pentagon had launched Operation Odyssey Lightning to help local forces push the jihadists from the coastal city of Sirte on August 1.

&quot;In partnership with the Libyan Government of National Accord, the operation succeeded in its core objective of enabling GNA-aligned forces to drive Daesh (IS) out of Sirte,&quot; the US military&#39;s Africa Command said in a statement.

US drones, gunships and warplanes had hammered IS positions, conducting a total of 495 strikes.

&quot;We are proud to have supported this campaign to eliminate ISIL&#39;s hold over the only city it has controlled outside Iraq and Syria,&quot; Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters, using an IS acronym.

Officials said the United States would continue to strike IS jihadists if the Libyan unity government asked for help in doing so.

Unity government leader Fayez al-Sarraj on Saturday announced that military operations in Sirte were done, but IS still has fighters in Libya and on Sunday conducted a suicide attack in Benghazi.

The fall of Sirte -- Kadhafi&#39;s home town located 450 kilometres east of Tripoli -- is a major setback for IS, which has also faced military defeats in Syria and Iraq.

Libya descended into chaos following the NATO-backed ousting of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival administrations emerging and well-armed militias vying for control of its vast oil wealth.

(AFP)

Officials said the United States would continue to strike Islamic State jihadists if the Libyan unity government asked for help in doing so

The US military has officially ended operations in a former Islamic State bastion in Libya, officials have announced. The Pentagon had launched Operation Odyssey Lightning to help local forces push the jihadists from the coastal city of Sirte on August 1. "In partnership with the Libyan Government of National Accord, the operation succeeded in its core objective of enabling GNA-aligned forces to drive Daesh (IS) out of Sirte," the US military's Africa Command said in a statement. US drones, gunships and warplanes had hammered IS positions, conducting a total of 495 strikes. "We are proud to have supported this campaign to eliminate ISIL's hold over the only city it has controlled outside Iraq and Syria," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters, using an IS acronym. Officials said the United States would continue to strike IS jihadists if the Libyan unity government asked for help in doing so. Unity government leader Fayez al-Sarraj on Saturday announced that military operations in Sirte were done, but IS still has fighters in Libya and on Sunday conducted a suicide attack in Benghazi. The fall of Sirte -- Kadhafi's home town located 450 kilometres east of Tripoli -- is a major setback for IS, which has also faced military defeats in Syria and Iraq. Libya descended into chaos following the NATO-backed ousting of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival administrations emerging and well-armed militias vying for control of its vast oil wealth. (AFP)

US military formally ends anti-IS operation in Libya's Sirte