U.S. helicopters in strikes against ISIL in Iraq

 A U.S. Apache helicopter attacked a target in northern Iraq as ground forces sought to encircle Mosul, stronghold of Islamic State forces, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced Monday.
The helicopter gunships were requested by the Iraqi government, Carter said. Their use represents a deepening of American involvement in the war against the Islamic State, also known as ISIL.
Carter told reporters traveling with him that the "ISIL target was destroyed." The strike occurred Monday morning near Mosul.  A vehicle was destroyed.