Hornets step in for F-15s over Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

Hornets step in for F-15s over Afghanistan
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Nov 7, 2007 13:01:48 EST

A day without F-15E Strike Eagles over Afghanistan was still a day with a sky full of warplanes battling insurgents and protecting troops on the ground.

Central Air Forces made good on its promise that the grounding of the F-15Es in Afghanistan wouldn’t leave troops on the ground without air cover.

On Tuesday, a mix of U.S. Navy, British and French fighters and U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flew 41 close-air sorties over Afghanistan. The number is in-line with what jets were flying before F-15Es were restricted Monday.

Navy F/A-18 Hornets struck targets near Tarin Kowt and flew show-of-force passes near Gereshk, Qalat and Sangin.

British fighters went after targets near Garmsir and Orgun-e.

And over Nowzad, French fighters teamed up with a B-1B to strike several positions.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/airforce_f15_afghanistan_071107n/

[aquart]

1. Ah. I had this vision of insect mercenaries. A Blackwater division.