DoD reported last month that since August 8, 2014, the cost of U.S. military operations in Iraq and Syria (Operation Inherent Resolve-OIR) against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) reached $5.53 billion. That is almost twice the $2.91 billion total cost DoD reported in June 2015.
The average daily cost is $11.2 million, up from $9.2 million reported in June. DoD reports that $5.7 million of the daily average is for flying OPTEMPO, $2.6 million for munitions, $1.6 million for operational support, and $1.1 million for logistical support.
The Air Force ($3.8 billion) is bearing almost 70 percent of the total cost, while the Army share is 13 percent ($725 million) and the Navy share is 11 percent ($605 million). Special Operations Command (SOCCOM) costs at $378 million are 7 percent of the total.
Air Force costs are averaging $7.7 million per day, while the Army daily costs are averaging $1.5 million and Navy costs $1.2 billion a day. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) costs are averaging $0.8 million daily.
According to DoD, 21,113 close air support, escort, and interdiction air sorties under OIR were conducted in 2015, up significantly from the 6,591 in 2014.
Through January 10, 2016, DoD reports that U.S. and partner nations have flown over 64,000 total sorties and damaged or destroyed 20,352 targets. This includes 6,221 fighting positions, 5,418 buildings, and 1,170 oil infrastructure targets.
Nations partnering with the U.S in conducting airstrikes against ISIL include Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
