Coalition air forces are providing 24-hour close air support for Operation Mountain Lion, a newly launched Combined Forces Command Afghanistan offensive against Afghan insurgents. Working with the Afghan National Army, coalition forces established security in certain areas of the country to clamp down on insurgent bombings aimed at derailing development efforts. US Air Force F-15s, A-10s, and B-52s and RAF GR-7s are currently backing up ground forces as they search out insurgent sanctuaries and supply networks. Providing intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance data are USAF Predator and Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles.
Walking the flight line occupied by Blackhawk attack helicopters and American troops on rotation at the “MK” air base in Romania, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III highlighted the important strategic value of one of NATO’s newest members Oct. 20 ahead of NATO defense ministerial meetings in Brussels Oct. 21-22.…