The US Air Force is finally and completely out of Uzbekistan. A Pentagon spokesman said a USAF C-17 flew out the last 90 personnel at the Karshi-Khanabad—or as American troops knew it, K2—Air Base following a brief ceremony this week. This was the residual force left behind to turn over the key. USAF began moving its personnel and equipment shortly after the Uzbeks told us to pack up and go. (DR 09/08/05)
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.