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.”
A prototype aircraft tug being tested out at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. could save MQ-9 Reaper maintainers time and money and cut down on safety risks on the flightline.