F-18 attack planes and B-52 bombers can be called on to protect departing forces, amid expected increase in Taliban activity
The United States has deployed a dozen additional warplanes to bolster protection of American and coalition troops making a final withdrawal from the country as Taliban insurgents step up pressure on Afghan government forces, top Pentagon officials have said.
General Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said F-18 attack planes had been added to a previously announced package of air and sea power – including the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the North Arabian Sea and six air force B-52 bombers based in Qatar – that can be called upon as protection for withdrawing troops. Also part of that previously announced package are several hundred Army Rangers.
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