Iraqi troops have recovered control over the city of Fallujah from control of the Islamic State militant organization through the country’s security forces and the multinational coalition, DoD News reported Monday.

Cheryl Pellerin writes U.S. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, Pentagon spokesman, told reporters the coalition will continue to provide strikes, intelligence, advice and assistance to support the Iraqi government fighters that operate in Fallujah.

“The United States military and our coalition partners are proud to have supported the Iraqi security forces under the [Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s] command in this important operation,” said Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

The report added the recovery of Fallujah builds on the victories in Rutba, Hit and Ramadi and other ongoing operations include clearing operations in the Euphrates River Valley as well as strategic operations to rid the Syrian city of Manbij from the militant forces.

Peter Cook, Pentagon press secretary, told reporters that Defense Secretary Ash Carter has assured his U.K. counterpart, Michael Fallon, that the two nations will continue to maintain close defense ties, DoD News reported Friday.

Terri Moon Cronk writes the two countries will also continue their respective roles in global security issues including support for NATO operations against the Islamic State.

“The two leaders committed to work together to strengthen international partnerships that have helped ensure security for the U.S., U.K., Europe and the world,” said Cook.

DoD News noted 246 strikes have been conducted in support of local ground forces in Manbij, Syria since operations began in May. Government forces have also cleared more than 70 percent of Fallujah in Iraq.

DoD officials and counterparts from South Korea and Japan have also discussed strategies to address recent missile launches from North Korea, the report added.

The U.S. Army has completed the final deployment of older Kiowa Warriors that will be replaced by the AH-64D Apaches, Army Times reported Sunday.

Luke Carberry Mogan writes members of 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade have arrived in South Korea for the final service of the OH-58D units and will return to Fort Bragg in nine months.

“Although it is sad to see the aircraft be retired, it is also exciting to see the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade modernize to meet the realities of an evolving mission,” said Capt. Adan Cazarez, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade public affairs officer.

The National Guard will redistribute its Apache units to the army in exchange for UH-60 Black Hawks, as part of the Army’s Aviation Restructuring Initiative that works to retire legacy systems, the report said.

The report noted Apache units features 16 laser-guided Hellfires, 76 Stingers and a front-mounted 30mm chain gun and reaches top speeds of up to 170mph.

Army Times added Apaches can be integrated with unmanned aerial vehicles such as the RQ-7 Shadow UAV for surveillance and other military operations.

Defense officials from U.S., Japan and South Korea have held a discussion via videoconference regarding recent North Korean missile launches believed to have fallen in the Sea of Japan.

DoD News reported Friday Kelly Magsamen, acting assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, Yoo Jeh-seung, South Korea’s deputy defense minister for policy, and Satoshi Maeda, Japan’s director general for defense policy, led the trilateral interagency video conference.

“These and other North Korean missile launches are violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions that explicitly prohibit North Korea’s use of ballistic missile technology,” said Peter Cook, Pentagon press secretary.

The report said U.S. Strategic Command officials confirmed the launch of two Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missiles from North Korea.

DoD News added the three defense leaders urged North Korean officials to refrain from “provocative actions” that affect peace and security that can strengthen the resolve of the international community.

U.S. officials will continue to work with, South Korea, Japan and the international community to address the actions of North Korea, the report said.

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has said conflicts on Earth can reach space in the future and the U.S. is preparing to address that possibility.

James took part in a breakout session at the Center for a New American Security’s annual conference in Washington to discuss U.S. views and strategies on the space enterprise, the U.S. Air Force said June 20.

James told discussion moderator Elridge Colby that space has become “contested” and “congested” due to an increase in commercial enterprises and countries that engage in space missions.

“From the standpoint of the United States, we are particularly concerned because we see that there are some countries around the world that are investing and testing in ways that are worrisome to us,” said James, a 2016 Wash100 recipient.

“There’s been a lot of momentum that has occurred just in the short two and a half years that I’ve been a direct observer on the scene in terms of strategy and budget and getting our heads around the fact that a future conflict on earth one day could extend to space.”

James further noted potential space attacks can be addressed with military, economic and diplomatic responses which the president will determine after possible consultation with international allies.