Counter-ISIL operation exceeds $5.5 billion

The United States' fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has cost over $5.5 billion, according to the latest figures from the Defense Department.

Through Dec. 15, 2015, the total cost of Operation Inherent Resolve ran to $5.533 billion, for an average daily cost of $11.2 million. Among the services, the majority of the costs are attributed to the Air Force, which bears 69 percent, compared with 13 percent for Army, 11 percent for Navy and 7 percent for U.S. Special Operations Command.

Meanwhile, the White House is slated to release the president's budget for fiscal year 2017 on Feb. 9. Defense Secretary Ash Carter is expected to preview the defense portion of the funding package during the final week of January.