The Supreme Allied Commander Marine Corps Gen. James Jones believes that NATO allies must produce the additional 15 percent of troops agreed to a year ago for operations in Afghanistan. Right now, he says, NATO has provided only about 85 percent of the agreed manning. Missing capabilities include an attack helicopter squadron, C-130 tactical transports, and a tactical theater reserve battalion. Jones told reporters Sept. 7 that the NATO mission in Afghanistan would be “successful without [the additional resources],” but having them would make the operation go “quicker” and might “minimize casualties.”
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.