An Iraqi-led assault to eliminate a militia force in Diwaniyah in southern Iraq entered its third day on April 8 and was achieving “great success,” according to Maj. Gen. Oothman Faroud, whose 8th Iraqi Army Division is leading Operation Black Eagle. The day before, Iraqi soldiers directed—for the first time—coalition fighter aircraft, in this case a USAF F-16, to conduct a strike against militia firing rocket-propelled grenades, reports Voice of America. The Viper destroyed the target.
The Air Force Personnel Center announced that just 14.8 percent of eligible tech sergeants were selected for promotion to master sergeant in the 22E7 promotion cycle, marking the service’s lowest E-7 promotion rate since at least 2010. All told, 4,040 technical sergeants were selected to become master sergeants out of…