The cost of conducting military operations against ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) forces in Iraq since they began in June is averaging about $7.5 million per day, Pentagon spokesman Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in an Aug. 19 press conference. “It didn’t start out at $7.5 million per day,” Kirby said. “As our OPTEMPO [operations tempo] and as our activities have intensified, so too … has the cost.” Overseas contingency funding is supporting the mission, Kirby said. “We’re well within the limits that we need for 2014,” he said.